Effect of mechanochemical milling on the properties of Ag₂O self-reducing pastes for conductive layers in flexible electronics

Abstract

This work investigates the production of conductive silver layers at low temperatures by the mechanochemical processing of silver oxide (Ag₂O) particles. Using modified Ag₂O particles in a planetary ball mill, a cost-effective method for producing a self-reducing polymer paste is developed. Milling for 5, 10, or 15 h results in smaller particles and increased surface activity, which enables effective Ag₂O reduction at low temperatures. A paste containing 70% AgO particles milled for 5 h exhibits long-term stability and forms conductive silver layers in 25 min at 130 °C. Heat and reducing agents reduce Ag₂O to Ag, achieving a sheet resistance of 21.794 mΩ/□ with 2 printed layers. After two months, stability tests validate the paste’s rheological stability. These results demonstrate the possibility of creating flexible silver layers using a low-cost Ag₂O-based paste, offering a sustainable and efficient approach for low-cost electronics. The most appropriate milling time is 5 h, producing particles suitable for printing (0.252–6.325 µm).