Size-controlled silver-glass composite powders with nanometer size prepared by flame spray pyrolysis

Abstract

Size-controlled silver-glass composite powders with nanometer sizes were directly prepared by high-temperature flame spray pyrolysis. The mean size of the composite powders is changed from 45 to 75nm by controlling the concentrations of the spray solution. Nanosized composite powders are prepared from the spray solution of 0.1M at a high flow rate of carrier gas as 20Lmin−1. However, nanosized composite powders are prepared from the spray solution of 3M at a low flow rate of carrier gas as 5Lmin−1. The nanosized composite powders have good firing characteristics at 450°C. The sheet resistance of the silver conducting film formed from the pure silver powders is 30mΩ/sq. The silver conducting films formed from the composite powders obtained from the spray solutions with concentrations above 0.5M have lower sheet resistances than that obtained from the pure silver powders. The minimum sheet resistance formed from the composite powders obtained from the spray solution of 0.5M is as low as 16mΩ/sq.