Composite conducting powders with core–shell structure as the new concept of electrode material

Conductive silver–glass composite powders, which are promising candidates for novel electrode materials, were prepared by spray pyrolysis. Composite conducting powders had a core–shell structure, which was the same as that of glass-coated silver powders. The composite powders with a mean size of 0.63 μm had spherical shape and non-aggregation characteristic. Even at a low firing temperature of 450 °C, the conductive layer formed from the composite powders had a dense structure and low pore volume. The specific resistances of the conductive layers formed from the silver pastes with and without glass powders were 9 μΩ cm and 19 μΩ cm, respectively. However, the specific resistance of the conducting layer formed from the composite powders was as low as 3.6 μΩ cm.