The structure and conductivity of thin composite films formed from nanodispersions of silver particles by the moving meniscus method

Abstract

The formation processes, structure, geometric parameters, and conductivity are studied for thin composite films prepared from nanodispersions of silver particles with diameters smaller than 10 nm by the moving meniscus method. The thickness and conductivity of the films are determined as functions of the mass concentration of a precursor (AgNO₃) and the concentration (size) of silver nanoparticles. Some of these functions are nonmonotonic. The dependences of the conductivity on these parameters are found to have the character of a percolation transition. Heterogeneous crystallization of soluble components of the colloidal solutions on silver nanoparticles plays an essential role in the formation of the films.