Wettability of Carbon Nanotubes with Molten Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Alloy

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to study the wettability of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) and molten 96.5Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) lead-free solder alloy. The SWCNTs was coated with silver (Ag) by using an electroless plating method in order to enhance its wettability. The wetting behavior of molten SAC305 alloy on three different substrates, alumina, un-coated SWCNTs and Ag-coated SWCNTs was investigated by employing a modified sessile drop technique. The wetting angle between the molten SAC305 and the three substrates was measured at temperature range of 250-550 °C. The average wetting angles between the molten SAC305 and the alumina, the un-coated SWCNTs and the Ag-coated SWCNTs substrates were 130.7±1.3°, 128.4±4.2° and 120.1±3.5°, respectively. The wettabilty of the SWCNTs was improved by coating it with silver. The wetting angle of the Ag-coated SWCNTs was decreased approx. 9° compared to that of the un-coated. Increasing temperature has slightly affected on the wettability of SWCNTs and the molten SAC305.