The conductive properties of ink coating based on Ni–Ag core–shell nanoparticles with the bimodal size distribution

We studied the conductive properties of ink coatings composed of a mixture of Ni–Ag core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) at the size 70 nm and 250 nm. The metallic ink films were deposited on glass substrates by using bar coating and screen printing methods. The effect of the type of deposition method of ink coatings, as well as the temperature and time of the sintering process on their conductivity, was investigated. The most conductive films were obtained after thermal sintering at 300 °C. The obtained conductivity was about 20% of that for a bulk nickel, more than 80% higher than for films formed with any single type of particles.