Fig. 1 Flowchart of process for preparing patterned Ag NPs on the FTO/glass substrate

Fig. 2 SEM images of a the FTO/glass substrate, the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using AZO layer thicknesses of b 10 nm, c 20 nm, d 30 nm, e 40 nm and f 50 nm as well as g the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer. The post-deposited Ag layer thickness is 150 nm. The insets in a, c, g respectively, show the high-, low- and low-resolution SEM images of the corresponding sample surfaces

Fig. 3 Typical EDS spectra obtained from the marked regions in Fig. 2d: a EDS Spot 1; b EDS Spot 2; c EDS Spot 3

Fig. 4 SEM images of the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using Ag layer thicknesses of a 50 nm, b 100 nm, c 200 nm, d 250 nm. The pre-deposited AZO layer thickness is 20 nm

Fig. 5 High-temperature contact angles of Ag droplets on a an FTO layer, b an AZO layer

Fig. 6 Schematic representation showing the dewetting process of the Ag layer and the driving process of the AZO layer on the FTO/glass substrate with laser-etched grooves

Fig. 7 XRD patterns of the FTO/glass substrate, the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer and the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using a different AZO layer thicknesses and an Ag layer thickness of 150 nm, b an AZO layer thickness of 20 nm and different Ag layer thicknesses

Fig. 8 Grain sizes of the FTO layers in the FTO/glass substrate, the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer and the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using different AZO layer thicknesses (with an Ag layer thickness of 150 nm) and different Ag layer thicknesses (with an AZO layer thickness of 20 nm)

Fig. 9 Optical transmittance spectra of the FTO/glass substrate, the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer and the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using a different AZO layer thicknesses and an Ag layer thickness of 150 nm and b an AZO layer thickness of 20 nm and different Ag layer thicknesses

Fig. 10 Average transmittance values of the FTO/glass substrate, the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer and the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using different AZO layer thicknesses (with an Ag layer thickness of 150 nm) and different Ag layer thicknesses (with an AZO layer thickness of 20 nm)

Fig. 11 Sheet resistances of the FTO/glass substrate, the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer and the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using different AZO layer thicknesses (with an Ag layer thickness of 150 nm) and different Ag layer thicknesses (with an AZO layer thickness of 20 nm)

Fig. 12 Figures of merit of the FTO/glass substrate, the Ag NPs/FTO/glass sample prepared without an AZO driving layer and the patterned Ag NPs/FTO/glass samples prepared by using different AZO layer thicknesses (with an Ag layer thickness of 150 nm) and different Ag layer thicknesses (with an AZO layer thickness of 20 nm)