Submicron Gold Powder Composition for Low-Temperature Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to reduce chloride ion content in submicron gold powders used in electronics to prevent corrosion and agglomeration issues during low-temperature packaging, while maintaining effective bonding and sealing properties.

Innovation Solution

A gold powder with a chloride ion content of 100 ppm or less and a cyanide ion content between 10 ppm and 1000 ppm is developed, using a wet reduction method and treatment with a cyanide solution to inhibit agglomeration and ensure low-temperature packaging compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chloride ion content is reduced in gold powder, then corrosion resistance is improved, but agglomeration tendency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidagglomeration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cyanide ions as an intermediary substance that mediates between the conflicting requirements of low chloride content and agglomeration resistance. The cyanide ions adsorb on the gold powder surface, providing steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion to prevent agglomeration, while allowing chloride ions to be removed through washing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by controlling the cyanide ion content in the range of 10-1000 ppm and chloride ion content at 100 ppm or less. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the right balance between corrosion resistance (low chloride) and agglomeration resistance (controlled cyanide content).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If gold powder is used for low-temperature packaging, then heat loss is reduced, but chloride ion removal becomes more critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging temperatureVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing chloride ions through washing with water or alcohol before the low-temperature packaging process. This pre-treatment ensures that when the gold powder is sintered at low temperatures (where chloride wouldn't evaporate effectively), the corrosion risk is already minimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of chloride ions (corrosion risk) into a manageable parameter by establishing specific content limits (100 ppm or less). This transforms the harmful impurity into a controlled parameter that can be managed through the cyanide ion addition mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stability of the object's composition

If cyanide ion content is increased to prevent agglomeration, then dispersibility is improved, but toxicness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagglomeration resistanceVSAvoidtoxicness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the cyanide ion content parameter within a specific range (10-1000 ppm) to achieve the minimum effective concentration for agglomeration prevention while minimizing toxicity. This parameter control allows the system to operate at the threshold where beneficial effects are maximized and harmful effects are minimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The optimized gold powder exhibits improved dispersibility and bonding performance, preventing corrosion and agglomeration, and is suitable for low-temperature packaging applications in electronics.

Implementation Method 1

a content of a chloride ion is 100 ppm or less, and a content of a cyanide ion is 10 ppm or more and 1000 ppm or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

treatment with a cyanide solution to inhibit agglomeration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

using a wet reduction method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 4

wet reduction method and treatment with a cyanide solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS12000019B2Gold powder, production method for gold powder, and gold paste
Publication Date: 2024.06.04 TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO KK

AI summary

A gold powder comprising gold having a purity of 99.9% by mass or more and having an average particle size of 0.01 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less, a content of a chloride ion is 100 ppm or less, and a content of a cyanide ion is 10 ppm or more and 1000 ppm or less. A total of the content of a chloride ion and the content of a cyanide ion is preferably 110 ppm or more and 1000 ppm or less. The gold powder has improved adaptability to various processes including bonding or the like with a content of a chloride ion, that is, an impurity, optimized. A gold paste using this gold powder is suitably used in various uses for bonding such as die bonding of a semiconductor chip, sealing a semiconductor package, and forming an electrode/wire.