Effect of addition Cobalt nanoparticles on Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder

Nowadays, nanoelectroctronic, electro-nanotechnologies environmental friendly products become the roadmap in industry. Hence, nanoscale of reinforcement into lead-free solder becomes more popular rather than the micro size of reinforcement. In this paper, Cobalt nanoparticles-reinforced Sn-Ag-Cu composite solders were prepared by thoroughly blending 0.75 wt% of cobalt nanoparticles with near eutectic cement tended to suppress the growth of Cu₃Sn intermetallic layer. However, upon addition of Co nanoparticles, the growth of Cu₆Sn₅ was enhanced. The distribution of the Co nanoparticles was observed by the elemental mapping which was carried out by using electron micro probe analysis (EPMA) and transmission electron microscopy which equipped together with electron-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX). There was no Co detected in the Cu₃Sn, it only presented in Cu₆Sn₅. The interdiffusion coefficient was increased with the ageing temperature. Upon addition of Co nanoparticles, the interdiffusion coefficient for the formation of Cu₃Sn intermetallic layer was reduced, but the interdiffusion coefficient for the formation of Cu₆Sn₅ layer was increased. The activation energy for the formation of Cu₃Sn was also increased with the Co addition.