Characterization of copper-zinc nanoparticles synthesized via submerged arc discharge with successive reduction process

Two copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) alloy wires with different copper contents (90Cu/10Zn and 65Cu/35Zn) were used as sacrificed electrodes in submerged arc discharge process at ambient pressure. Three types of dielectric liquids including ethylene glycol, ethanol and deionized water were investigated. The microstructure, composition and size of the particles obtained were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The particles synthesized from both wires in all dielectric liquids were spherical with size in the range of 5-50 nm. Ethylene glycol yielded the smallest particles, in comparison deionized water yielded the largest particles. These particles contained Cu, Cu-Zn, and zinc oxide without copper oxide. L-Ascorbic acid was then used as a reducing agent to eliminate zinc oxide. Thus, the 5-50nm spherical Cu/Cu-Zn nanoparticles with similar composition to the wires used, can be synthesized. However, ethanol cannot be used as dielectric liquid in case of 65Cu/35Zn wire, because high zinc content in ethanol with L-ascorbic acid formed zinc oxalate. Conductive ink was prepared from the particles synthesized by using 90Cu/10Zn in ethylene glycol, and screen printed on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate. The patterns printed could be sintered in air at 150 degrees C for 60 min. The patterns fabricated were characterized by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The resistivity of the conductive pattern was measured by two-point probe at room temperature. The lowest volume resistivity of the pattern obtained was 125 mu Omega cm. (C) 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physics