A flexible ultrasonic micro tool-based AgNS fabrication process

Abstract

Silver nano sheets (AgNSs) have very good potential applications in fabrication of photonic devices and nano sensors, and chemical methods have been the major means to fabricate it. Here, we report a mechanical method to on-site fabricate AgNSs on a solid substrate by a nano rolling process. In the method, a flexible ultrasonic micro tool is proposed and utilized to roll commercialized AgNWs and micro Ag particles into AgNSs. The thickness of fabricated AgNSs can be as thin as several tens of nanometers, and it may be further decreased by using thinner AgNWs as the raw material and optimizing the structure and working conditions of the micro tool. The rolling effect is not sensitive to the preload when the micro tool vibration is sufficiently large, and the vibrating micro tool does not damage the substrate due to the circular shape of the micro tool.