Chemical Analyses of Thick-Film Gold Conductor Inks

The inorganic constituents of seventeen commerical gold-based conductor inks have been chemically analyzed in detail. A variety of techniques were employed including a precursor bake of ink samples in oxygen, which burned off the organic vehicles, followed by wet chemical analysis to determine the proportion of gold in the inorganic solids of the inks. Solids mass spectrometry and optical emission spectrometry were used to define the relative amounts of other elements present. Atomic absorption spectrometry was then employed, where applicable, to more precisely define the proportions of important binder constituents in the inks. The paper briefly describes each of the analytical methods used and refers to more detailed descriptions of each method. Descriptions are given of innovative laboratory techniques used to perform the study and with the other material given and referenced should enable the reader to duplicate the analyses. The detailed results of the analyses are presented in tabular form. The data are normalized into weight proportions of the noble metals and of the binders in oxide form. The results of the ink analyses are discussed in terms of a set of criteria, which makes the analyses somewhat easier to understand.