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

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 75 nm by controlling the concentrations of the spray solution. Nanosized composite powders are prepared from the spray solution of 0.1 M at a high flow rate of carrier gas as 20 L min(-1). However, nanosized composite powders are prepared from the spray solution of 3 M at a low flow rate of carrier gas as 5 L min(-1). The nanosized composite powders have good firing characteristics at 450 degrees C. The sheet resistance of the silver conducting film formed from the pure silver powders is 30 m Omega/sq. The silver conducting films formed from the composite powders obtained from the spray solutions with concentrations above 0.5 M 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 0.5 M is as low as 16 m Omega/sq. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.