The main technical problems of nickel powder for multiplayer ceramic capacitors are particle size controlling, the agglomeration and tap density. Ultrafine nickel powders with submicron size and spherical shape were synthesized by the hydrazine reduction of nickel sulfate in ethanol-water solvent. The effects of reaction temperature, nucleator and flow rate of nickel sulfate solution on nickel powders properties were investigated. The nickel particles synthesized were characterized by SEM and TGA. The results show that the average particle size changes from 0.1 to 0.7 μm by adjusting reaction temperature (53- 73 ℃) and flow rate of nickel sulfate solution (50- 100 mL/min). Moreover, temperature below 60 ℃ and appropriate flow rate of nickel sulfate solution (85 mL/min) are in favor of obtaining particles with high tap density (>3.0 g/cm3). In addition, the introduction of nucleator is useful to obtaining particles with narrow size distribution.
A novel method of electroless silver coating on copper powders was reported, in which hydrazine was used as the reducing agent, and had some advantages such was used as inhibiting the substitution reaction and reducing consumption of copper powders. In the processes of sensitization and activation, AgNO3 replaces the conventional PdCl2, which solves the impurity of bath. Oxide film on the surface of copper powders was tested by chemical analysis. Ag element tested by XRD and XRF is in the form of Ago and exists on the surface of copper powders, which acts as catalyzer in reduction reaction. Morphology and composition of the coating were characterized by SEM and XRD respectively.
