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Chemical sintering of Ag nanoparticle conductive inks at room temperature for printable electronics

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Abstract

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles with a mean diameter of about 24.3 nm were synthesized by electroless deposition in an aqueous solution using PAA-Na and ascorbic acid as protective and reducing agents, respectively. The Ag nanoparticles were utilized as conductive ink and sintered at room temperature using different halide solutions (NaCl, NaBr, NaI, LiCl, KCl) at varying concentrations. A significant increase in particle size of about 174–990% was observed after sintering depending on the type of halide solution used. This also led to an increase in the electrical conductivity of the printed Ag pattern. Halide solutions with smaller ionic sizes generally promote the fusing of Ag nanoparticles, which results in larger Ag particles (NaCl > NaBr > NaI) and higher electrical conductivity. The use of an ionic stabilizer (PAA-Na salt) is more effective as a capping agent for Ag nanoparticles. Sintering is also more significant in samples stabilized by PAA-Na compared to those with PAA only.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) under the research project entitled “Up-Scaled Synthesis of Metal Nanowires and their Application in Transparent Metal Nanowire Touch Panel” and the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (DOST-ERDT) research grant for the financial support. The authors would also like to thank the Active Nanomaterial Synthesis and Devices Laboratory (ANSyD) through Dr. Candy C. Mercado for the use of the UV-Vis spectrometer. Dr. Balela would also like to acknowledge the Uratex Professorial Chair in Engineering through the University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI).

Funding

Funding was secured from the following agencies: Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). DOST- Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sustainable Electronic Materials Group, Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 1101, Quezon City, Philippines

    Bethel Faith Y. Rezaga & Mary Donnabelle L. Balela

  2. Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

    Bethel Faith Y. Rezaga

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  1. Bethel Faith Y. Rezaga
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BFYR: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing-original draft. MDLB: Conceptualization, Resources, Supervision, Writing-review and editing.

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Correspondence to Mary Donnabelle L. Balela.

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Rezaga, B.F.Y., Balela, M.D.L. Chemical sintering of Ag nanoparticle conductive inks at room temperature for printable electronics. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 32, 17764–17779 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-06313-7

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