Preparation of silvered polyimide film from silver carbamate complex using CO₂, amine, and alcohol

Silver diethylcarbamate, used as a silver precursor, can be prepared in a halogen-free manner using inexpensive and readily available reagents such as amines, alcohols, and carbon dioxide. Using silver diethylcarbamate, flexible polyimide films with a highly conductive and reflective surface were prepared. Silver diethylcarbamate can produce uniform silver nanoparticles (NPs) by low temperature thermosetting (125 °C) without the need for a reducing agent. Further heat treatments up to 300 °C resulted in partial surface aggregation of the silver metal particles, yielding a silvered polyimide film. The reflectivity and electrical conductivity of the metallic surface were similar to those of pure silver. The metalized films also retained the characteristic mechanical properties of the polymer substrate, and appropriate thermal properties. Therefore, these films could be used over a wide temperature range for various applications