Transpiration-inspired Capillary for Synchronous Synthesis and Patterning of Silver Nanoparticles

Traditional synthesis strategy of nanomaterials with complicated process and high cost limits their applications. Here, we propose a facile process for the synchronous synthesis and patterning of silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs) through the self-driven microchannel reactor with the capillary effect inspired by transpiration. The evaporation contributes to capillary and accumulation effects in the microchannels. The silver reactant-containing droplets can be spontaneously divided and distributed in multiple microchannels during the whole fabrication process by the capillary effect. The newly formed Ag NPs at the gas-liquid interface can be assembled on both sides of the microchannels by the accumulation effect. The capillary effect decreases the disturbances, which ensures the uniformity of the patterning. By the combination of microchannels with different widths, various Ag NPs-assembled patterns with stable electrical properties are achieved. This efficient strategy with a simple fabrication procedure is towards the technological engineering of nanoscale architected materials.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]