SYNTHESIS OF CONDUCTIVE INK BASED ON SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND ITS APPLICATION IN INKJET PRINTING PATTERNS ON GLASS SUBSTRATES

This paper presents a synthesis of silver nanoparticles-based solution which was then used as conductive ink for inkjet printing application. In this work, colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from silver nitrate (AgNO3) with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent and ethylene glycol (EG) as a solvent and reducing agent. After the synthesis, the silver nanoparticle solution was characterized by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the nanoparticles diameter ranged from 10 nm to 60 nm which is suitable for printing process through the nozzles of the inkjet printhead (the diameter of the printing nozzles was 21.5 µm). After that, some samples with a square shape were printed using this conductive ink on glass substrates which were then heated at different temperatures by a hot plate. The samples were characterized by Field emission-Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and a non-contact surface charge analyzer. It was found that with the heat-treatment from 200oC to 250oC the printed samples obtained the resistivity of 0.4-0.5 Ω, which could be used for electronic applications