Improvement of Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Inkjet-Printed Ag Tracks by Adding SiO2 to High Loading Ag Inks

Abstract

Monodispersed Ag nanoparticles with sizes down to 10 nm were synthesised in an aqueous medium. These nanoparticles were then successfully dispersesd up to 45 wt% in aqueous medium with the aid of a copolymer, Pluronic F127. SiO2 nanoparticles were added to the ink formula in order to improve the physical properties of the ink after inkjet printing. The effect of the different SiO2 concentrations in the ink on the adhesion, resistivity and microstructure of the film at several sintered temperatures was investigated. The percentage of the SiO2 added in the ink was responsible for the development of microstructure for the sintered silver films and improving adhesion of the films to the substrate. The addition of SiO2 had also significant effect on improving the conductivity of the films. The conductivity is, though, better when only a small amount of SiO2 was added.