Synthesis of Core-Shell Nanoparticles of Cu-Ag for Application in Electrohydrodynamic Printing Technique

Core-shell nanoparticles of Cu-Ag (Cu core and Ag shell) were synthesized using chemical method. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was used as a surfactant, and ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) were used as reducing agents to reduce the metal complexes [Cu(NH3)4]^2+ and [Ag(NH3)2]^+. The results of transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic (UV-Vis) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the core-shell nanoparticles of Cu-Ag were successfully synthersized. The average particle size was 32 nm. The dispersion of the nanoparticles was still good after 80 days without the formation of the oxides of Cu and Ag. The properties of the nanoparticles suggested that they were suitable to be used as an electrically conductive material for conductive ink-jet printing inks.