Sintering MetalNanoparticle Films

We havecarried outseveral measurements inorder to understand theprocessofmetalnanoparticle (MNP)film sintering. Smallangle neutronscattering hasbeenusedto reveal theaveragediameters ofsilver andgoldnanoparticles (Ag-NPs andAu-NPs) usedinthis study tobe4.6and3.8 nm, respectively, with a size distribution ofca.20%.SpuncastAg-NPandAu-NP filmshavebeensintered at temperature ranges of80 - 160°Cand180- 210°C, respectively, forvarious times.The resulting film composition, morphology andelectric resistance havebeen revealed. Uponsintering, theorganic content inMNP films reduces tolessthan10%whiletheoverall filmthickness reduces toabout thehalfoftheas-cast filmthickness. The resistance ofsintered Ag-NPfilms can varyovermore than7 decadesdepending on thesintering temperature. The conductivity ofAg-NPfilms sintered at1500Cis2.4x 10-8 Qm. Thetransport properties are affected byboththe composition andmorphology ofsintered films.