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DESIGN, ASSEMBLY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPOSITE ...

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proprietary stabilizer molecules used for particle synthesis. A BT powder (Ticon HPB,<br />

Ferro Electronics Corporation, Penn Yang, NY) with a reported particle size distribution<br />

of D10=0.55 µm, D50=1.21 µm, D90=2.96 µm, a specific surface area of 2.7 m 2 /g, a<br />

particle density 5.95 g/cm 3 and a tap density 1.68 g/cm 3 is used as the ceramic phase. For<br />

preparation of composite ink, a 50% by weight aqueous solution of branched<br />

polyethylenimine (PEI-50K) with MW 50k-100k (ICN Biomedical, Aurora, OH) is used<br />

as dispersant for aqueous Ni suspension; and an 40% by weight aqueous solution of the<br />

ammonium salt of poly(acrylic acid) (Darvan 821A, R.T. Vanderbilt Co., Norwalk, CT,<br />

MW=5000-6000) (PAA) is used as received for preparation of aqueous BT suspension.<br />

For preparation of BT ink, Darvan 821A and a high molecular weight poly(acrylic acid)<br />

(MW=90k) (Polysciences, Warrington, PA) (PAA-90K) solution (adjusted to 20% by<br />

weight at pH=8.2 using concentrated ammonia and de-ionized (DI) water) are used as<br />

dispersant, and a 25% by weight aqueous solution of PEI-50K is used as flocculation<br />

agent. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (Methocel F4M, Dow Chemical<br />

Company, Midland, MI) 5% by weight stock solution in de-ionized (DI) water is used as<br />

viscosifier. DI water wherever mentioned had a nominal conductivity 5×10 -4 (ohm·cm) -1 .<br />

Paraffin oil (Ultra-Pure, Lamplight Farms, Menomonee Falls, WI) is used for oil bath<br />

during the printing operation. A mixture of 5% hydrogen with balance nitrogen is used<br />

as processing gas for sintering, and a high purity nitrogen gas is used for re-oxidation of<br />

BT.<br />

5.2.2. Preparation of Colloidal Inks<br />

Batches of aqueous colloidal Ni(m) inks having a BT:Ni solid volume ratio=20:80,<br />

138

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