Growth and property evaluation of nickel–graphite core–shell nanoparticles based on temperature parameters for utilization in silver paste

Herein, the change in the growth characteristics of nickel (Ni)–graphite core–shell nanoparticles (CSNP) based on growth time using thermal chemical vapor deposition method and its utilization in silver (Ag) paste is presented. The characteristics of the graphite shell formed on the surface of Ni–graphite CSNPs exhibited changes in structure, crystallinity, and thickness depending on the growth time. Changes in the characteristics of the graphite shell caused changes in the electrical characteristics of Ni–graphite CSNPs. Ni–graphite CSNPs synthesized based on growth time were able to present synthesis conditions with the most similar characteristics to Ag powder through electrical characteristic evaluation. In addition, through the commercialized Ag paste process, it was suggested that some of the Ag powder could be replaced with Ni–graphite CSNPs and utilized. Through this approach, a plan to improve the price competitiveness of expensive Ag paste was proposed.