In this study, we focused on how to development an oil-based stable silver nanoparticle suspension of conductive ink, to enhance the attachment of ink onto the substrate, and to seek the best condition for printing quality. Furthermore, the stability mechanism and related applications were discussed in detail, such as the use of prepared dispersion solution to produce a conductive film, and further to obtain a conductive pattern. First, silver nitrate was used as the metal precursor and ascorbic acid was added as the reducing agent with the addition of the surfactant and the protective agent. Through a series of formulations to obtain the best performance, we developed the oil-based conductive silver ink, whose dispersion could maintain stable more than one year with no obvious precipitates. The ink was coated onto a glass slide via drop-casting method, and a conductive film was obtained by sintering at 250 oC having a sheet resistance of lower than 0.6 ohm/sq. Moreover, we also prepared the conductive pattern with a resistance of 3 ohm via desktop dispensing robot.
