Fig. 1. Morphology of synthesized silver. (a) Nanoparticles; (b) nanobelts

Fig. 2. Self joining of silver nanoparticles. (a) SEM image of the reaction product taken from early stage; (b) SEM image of the reaction product after joining; (c) TEM image of three silver nanoparticles after joining, in which directions of (111) planes of the particles are marked; (d) TEM image of joining interface of two silver nanobelts

Fig. 3. Thermal sintering of silver nanobelts. (a) SEM image of the unsintered electrodes; (b) resistivity as a function of sintering temperature; (c)--(f) SEM images of electrodes sintered after 100, 200, 300, 400 ℃

Fig. 4. Resistivity as a function of laser scanning times

Fig. 5. SEM images of laser sintered electrodes. (a) AgNB-0; (b) AgNB-10; (c) AgNB-20; (d) AgNB-30

Fig. 6. Bending tests of sintered electrodes. (a) Influence of bending cycles on rate of electrode resistance; (b) comparison of electrode porosity before and after 3000 bending

Fig. 7. SEM images of electrodes after 3000 bending cycles. (a) AgNB-0; (b) AgNB-10; (c) AgNB-20; (d) AgNB-30