Synthesis of Sn-3.5Ag Alloy Nanosolder by Chemical Reduction Method

Abstract

The synthesis of Sn-3.5Ag alloy nanosolder was investigated by chemical reduction method. In this method, chemical precipitation was achieved by using sodium NaBH4 as a reducing agent and PVP (poly-m-vinyl 2- pyrrolidone) as a stabilizer. The experimental results obtained with different amounts of NaBH4 and PVP were compared. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that Ag3Sn was formed due to the successful alloying process. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) demonstrated a change in the morphology of Sn-3.5 Ag alloy nanosolder with increase in the PVP content in the bath. The size of the nanoparticles ranged from 300 to 700 nm. The nanosolder/nanoparticles were thus synthesized successfully under controlled and optimized chemical reduction process.