Dispersing agent, a method for manufacturing a dispersing agent, an ink, and a method for forming an electrically conductive pattern

A method for forming an electrically conductive pattern, comprising:

• applying an ink onto a substrate, the ink including a dispersing agent, metal particles and a dispersion medium;
• and
• curing the ink applied on the substrate,
• the dispersing agent including
• a structural unit that has an ionic group, and
• a structural unit originating from a compound represented by a general formula of
• wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group with a carbon number equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 9, a phenyl group, a bicyclopentenyl group, or a nonylphenyl group, x is 2 or 3, and n is equal to or greater than 1, and
• wherein a number average molecular weight of the compound represented by general formula (I) is equal to or less than 10000.

A method for forming an electrically conductive pattern, comprising:

• manufacturing a dispersing agent;
• applying an ink onto a substrate, the ink including the dispersing agent, metal particles and a dispersion medium;
• and
• curing the ink applied on the substrate,
• the manufacturing the dispersing agent including polymerizing
• a monomer that has an ionic group, and
• a composition that includes a compound represented by a general formula of
• wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group with a carbon number equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 9, a phenyl group, a bicyclopentenyl group, or a nonylphenyl group, x is 2 or 3, and n is a natural number, and
• wherein a number average molecular weight of the compound represented by general formula (I) is equal to or less than 10000.