ENHANCING SILVER CONDUCTIVITY
A method of enhancing the conductivity of silver in a silver-containing film formed on a substrate is disclosed. A silver-containing film, including silver particles and a hydrophilic binder is produced. Thereafter, the method includes exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor so that the binder absorbs water; drying the silver-containing film to remove water in the binder, and repeating the hot water vapor and drying steps at least one additional time to enhance the conductivity of the silver.
1 . A method of enhancing the conductivity of silver in a silver-containing film formed on a substrate, comprising:
(a) providing the silver-containing film, including silver particles and a hydrophilic binder;
(b) exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor so that the binder absorbs water;
(c) drying the silver-containing film to remove water in the binder; and
(d) repeating elements (b) and (c) at least one time, so as to enhance the conductivity of the silver.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic binder includes a gelatin-based material.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein element (b) includes providing the hot water vapor is in a temperature range from 80° C. to 110° C.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the temperature of the hot water vapor is in a range from 90° C. to 100° C.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein element (b) includes exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor in a time range from 1 seconds to 60 seconds.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the time range from 5 seconds to 30 seconds.
7 . The method of claim 3 wherein element (b) includes exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor in a time range from 1 seconds to 60 seconds.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the time range from 5 seconds to 30 seconds.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein element (c) includes drying at a temperature in a range from 40° C. to 140° C.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the temperature is in a range from 60° C. to 100° C.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the silver particles are provided by developing a photosensitive silver-containing salt.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein element (d) includes repeating elements (b) and (c) at least two times.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein elements (b) and (c) are repeated at least four times.
14 . A method of enhancing the conductivity of silver in a silver-containing film formed on a substrate, comprising:
(a) providing the silver-containing film, including silver particles and a hydrophilic binder;
(b) swelling the hydrophilic binder;
(c) shrinking the hydrophilic binder; and
(d) repeating elements (b) and (c) at least one time to work the silver particles thereby enhancing the conductivity of the silver.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein element (d) includes repeating elements (b) and (c) at least two times.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein elements (b) and (c) are repeated at least four times.
17 . A method of enhancing the conductivity of silver in a silver-containing film formed on a substrate, comprising:
(a) providing the silver-containing film, including silver particles and a binder on the substrate;
(b) providing a first set of stations including a first hot water vapor station for exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor so that the binder absorbs water, and a first drying station spaced from the hot water vapor station to dry the silver-containing film to remove water in the binder; and
(c) advancing the silver-containing film on the substrate through the first set of stations in sequence through the first hot water vapor station and the first drying station.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further including providing a second set of stations spaced from the first set of stations, including a second hot water vapor station for exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor so that the binder absorbs water, and a second drying station spaced from the hot water vapor station to dry the silver-containing film to substantially remove the water in the binder; and
after element (c), advancing the silver-containing film on the substrate through the second set of stations in sequence through the second hot water vapor station and the second drying station.
19 . The method of claim 1 wherein element (b) includes providing the hot water vapor is in a temperature range from 80° C. to 110° C.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein element (b) includes exposing the silver-containing film to hot water vapor in a time range from 1 seconds to 60 seconds.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the time range from 5 seconds to 30 seconds.