Solvent replacement (decane → hexane) in concentrated silver organosols stabilized with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate

Abstract

The structure-related properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized in reverse micellar solutions of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) have been studied in the processes of electrophoretic concentraton of nanoparticles, drying of concentrates, and redispersion in n-hexane and n-decane. It has been shown that the dispersity of nanoparticles and stability of organosols to aggregation remain preserved upon the replacement of a low-volatile solvent (decane) by a high-volatile solvent (hexane). The developed procedures enable one to easily regulate important technological characteristics of metal-based inkjet “nanoinks,” such as concentration and size of particles, as well as viscosity and drying rate of the inks.