Ultra-Low-Cost and Rapid Production of Inkjet-Printed Conductive Patterns using Silver Inks and Copper Oxide Inks

We present a rapid and ultra-low-cost manufacturing method for conductive patterns based on new inexpensive materials and roll-to-roll compatible fabrication tools. We printed copper-oxide nanoparticle and silver nanoparticle ink with a consumer inkjet printer on commercially available substrates, like printing papers and polymer films widely used in graphics printing. We assessed print quality by visual inspection as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy. We measured film roughness and height using a contact profilometer. We evaluated the electrical resistance by 4-point probing. We found the substrate’s porosity to be an important characteristic for the quality of printed patterns. Porous coatings allow the printing of instantly dry ink layers whereas non-porous substrates require a separate drying step. The wettability of non-porous substrates must match the surface tension of the inks to limit drop gain and correctly reproduce the designed pattern. Film thicknesses of 700 nm for silver and 130 nm for copper have been measured. Spontaneous sintering of the silver ink gave sheet resistances as low as 400 mΩ/□ after one hour drying at 60 °C on specific substrates. Photonic sintering was able to reduce the sheet resistance down to 55 mΩ/□ within a few milliseconds, corresponding to a resistivity of the 2.4-fold of bulk silver. Copper oxide ink was not conductive after printing. Intense pulsed light reduced the copper and successfully sintered the film. Sheet resistances of 335 mΩ/□, or the 4.5-fold of bulk copper, were obtained. We show the opportunities of this method at demonstrators for rapid prototyping of printed circuit boards and near field communication antennas. Ultra-Low-Cost and Rapid Production of Inkjet-Printed Conductive Patterns using Silver Inks and Copper Oxide Inks (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298789842_Ultra-Low-Cost_and_Rapid_Production_of_Inkjet-Printed_Conductive_Patterns_using_Silver_Inks_and_Copper_Oxide_Inks [accessed Jun 1, 2017].     «

We present a rapid and ultra-low-cost manufacturing method for conductive patterns based on new inexpensive materials and roll-to-roll compatible fabrication tools. We printed copper-oxide nanoparticle and silver nanoparticle ink with a consumer inkjet printer on commercially available substrates, like printing papers and polymer films widely used in graphics printing. We assessed print quality by visual inspection as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy. We measured film roughness a...     »