Ultrafine Sn nanoparticles (NPs) (diameter < 10 nm) exhibiting a remarkable depression in their melting point were synthesized at room temperature by a modified polyol process. For the synthesis, low-grade Sn(II) 2-ethylhexanoate and sodium borohydride were used as the precursor and reducing agent in a diethylene glycol medium. Further, polyvinyl pyrrolidone was used as a capping agent during the synthesis. The synthesized crystalline Sn NPs showed an average diameter of 7.98 nm and an extremely low melting point of 128 degrees C. To test the applicability of the synthesized ultrafine Sn NPs to practical systems, an Ag-based composite ink containing the Sn NPs was prepared. The ink was easily sintered through local liquid-phase sintering by melting of the ultrafine Sn NPs added as a metal binder. Therefore, despite the low-temperature (170 degrees C) sintering with a short duration (similar to 15 min), the composite ink exhibited excellent sheet resistance. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.