A Simple and Facile Iodination Method for Improving Sinterability and Electrical Conductivity of Silver Thick Films
Micro-sized silver powders were decorated with nano-scaled Ag/AgI clusters on the surface via a simple reaction with iodine and subsequent exposure to sunshine. Surface morphologies, crystal structures, and thermal properties of the powders were characterized. The powders with different mole ratios of I:Ag (0:100, 2:100, 10:100) were employed in silver pastes to evaluate sinterability and electrical conductivity of thick films. Microstructures and sheet resistance of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and the four-point probe method. The particles coated with and without nano-sized Ag/AgI clusters showed different sintering behaviors. Moreover, clear necks were formed between the Ag particles with the ratio of 2:100 even at 570°C, whereas those untreated remained discrete. However, over-decoration lowered sinterability and electrical conductivity.