One-step synthesis of Ag nanoparticles for fabricating highly conductive patterns using infrared sintering

Abstract Synthesizing metal nanoparticles (NPs) for conductive nano-ink applications on a large-scale and in a green, facile method is important. Here we use an ultrasonic-assisted method to synthesize Ag NPs with an average diameter of 15.5 ± 1.0 nm in poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) solutions containing ascorbic acid (Vc) and glucose as mixed reducing agents. TEM, HR-TEM and XRD analysis confirmed the purity of Ag NPs. A thin, mixed Vc and PVP layer on the surface of the Ag NPs, confirmed by TGA and FT-IR, offered the air-stability of the Ag NPs. A rapid and effective sintering method was employed to obtain highly conductive patterns and avoid substrate damage. Upon sintering, the mixed layer quickly decomposed to obtain a highly conductive net. Infrared sintering at 15 W for