Characterization of polymer inks for drop-on-demand printing systems

Meixner, Ronald M.; Cibis, Dominik; Krueger, K.; Goebel, H.

doi:10.1007/s00542-008-0639-7

Cited by 30 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Images from Drop Watcher were analyzed using ImageJ™ software to determine drop diameter and velocity. The inverse Ohnesorge number, Z −1 , and energy number, En, which describe drop stability and jettability [16], respectively, were calculated based on the drop and nozzle geometry and the ink rheology:…”

Section: Ink Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate) Inkjet Inks Doped with Carbon Nanotubes and a Polar Solvent: The Effect of Formulation and Adhesion on Conductivity

Angelo

2010

Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology

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A conductive aqueous polymer suspension of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate), or PEDOT:PSS, was used as the basis for an inkjet-printable and translucent conductive material. Several types of surfactants were used to achieve suitable particle sizes for inkjet printing, with Zonyl™ FS-300 non-ionic surfactant providing suitable surface tension, stability and dispersion. Viscosity was controlled using water and glycerol. Glycerol was also included as a humectant. 10 w/w% polar solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide) was used to increase conductivity, as a co-solvent and as a viscosity modifier. Carbon nanotubes, both single-and multi-walled, were dispersed in the ink to further improve its conductivity. The optimized ink was printed onto coated photo-paper and cellulose acetate (CA) substrates and characterized for ink layer thickness and conductivity. The effect of paper folding and peeling of an adhesive strip from the ink surface on the conductivity of the printed samples was also characterized. Optical microscopy showed that the conductive ink was contained almost entirely in the pores of the photo-paper coating layer and fibres, but remained as a film on the CA surface. In the case of photo-paper, failure occurred primarily at the coating-paper interface. The cohesive failure compromised the conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS layer contained in the coating. In the case of CA (within the coating layer), the PEDOT:PSS film's conductivity was not significantly affected by folding or peeling. This suggests that PEDOT:PSS is a robust conductive material well-suited to applications requiring significant flexibility.

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Section: Ink Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Meixner et al [16] sug-gested a value of En < 1 to avoid droplet splashing and spraying, and 1 < Z −1 < 10 to form stable drops. The inks with the best jetting performance and appropriate viscosity were treated with carbon nanotube (CNT) solution [7].…”

Section: Ink Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate) Inkjet Inks Doped with Carbon Nanotubes and a Polar Solvent: The Effect of Formulation and Adhesion on Conductivity

Angelo

2010

Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology

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“…Li et al (2008) investigated the printing frequency effects, and reported that distorted meniscus and liquid thread were broken into several satellites at higher frequency. Meixner et al (2008) studied the properties of different polymer inks in piezo DoD micro-feeding system. Based on the rheological properties of the used inks and the mechanical properties of the printing system, characteristic values are derived and utilized to predict the process capability of polymer inks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance characterization of drop-on-demand micro-dispensing system with multi-printheads

et al. 2010

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Due to the diversity of printhead activation mechanism, printhead design and its operational parameters, integrating heterogeneous printheads is usually preferred in multi-material micro-fabrication tasks. However, evaluating the performance of multi-printhead micro-dispensing system is seldom investigated. In this paper, the developed micro-dispensing system performance along X and Y axes is discussed based on the attached two printheads, i.e. solenoid actuating micro-valve and piezoelectric printhead. Comprehensive experiments are conducted to characterize droplet size and their deposition performance on the substrate. To explore the optimal printing parameters (e.g. pitch and printing speed), the characterization results are analyzed in terms of deposition accuracy and line straightness, printable conditions, and stability. It can be concluded that an optimal pitch is the key to achieve better line straightness for micro-valve printhead. For normal printing using piezoelectric printhead, the selection of printing speed is determined in terms of pitch. A lower speed is recommended for both to minimize the disturbance from printheads' point-to-point motion. In addition, some other factors' influence on printing accuracy such as vibrations, printhead synchronization, printing time are discussed. Our study on the relationship between printing parameters and dispensing performance will not only benefit the optimization of micro-dispensing performance, but also the development of theoretical models or empirical equations in the 3D microfabrication process.

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“…Since droplet formation process requires highly loaded particulate suspension, and operating parameters vary with materials properties (van den Berg et al 2007;De Gans et al 2005), viscosity and surface tension of this suspension are identified as key parameters (Derby and Reis 2003). To explore the relationship between viscosity and driving voltage in dispensing, Meixner et al (2008) compared polymer inks with variable viscosity and surface tension based on PEDOT:PSS. The results showed that for the same surface tension, the higher viscosity liquid required larger voltage to produce droplets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of micro-dispensing performance between micro-valve and piezoelectric printhead

Sun

Fuh

et al. 2009

Microsyst Technol

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In micro-dispensing applications, printhead activation mechanism, its design and operating parameters are integrated together to affect the droplet generation process. These factors give each printhead advantages and limitations over the others in specific fabrication. Hence, multiple printheads on micro level fabrication are preferred to perform multi-material dispensing task. In this paper, the mechanisms of two commonly used micro printheads, solenoid actuated micro-valve and piezoelectric printhead are discussed. Comprehensive experiments are conducted to characterize their performance and the results are analyzed so as to explore optimal droplet formation condition. With regards to the operational parameters' influence on droplet formation, micro-valve is investigated in terms of pressure, and operational on time, and piezoelectric printhead is investigated based on pulse amplitude, and width of driving pulse. Nozzle size, a key design parameter in the two printheads, is also studied according to its influence on dispensing capability. To facilitate dispenser selection, the two printheads are compared based on droplet size, droplet stability, droplet velocity, and dispensing viscosity of successful ejection. Other factors such as chemical compatibility, time consumption in determining optimal condition and reliability of dispensing process are also reported to play an essential role in this selection. Our investigation on the relationship between related parameters and dispensing performance will not only benefit dispenser selection in multi-material dispensing application, but also build a solid background to develop multiple printhead system for fabrication of bioengineering components.

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Characterization of polymer inks for drop-on-demand printing systems

Cited by 30 publications

References 10 publications

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate) Inkjet Inks Doped with Carbon Nanotubes and a Polar Solvent: The Effect of Formulation and Adhesion on Conductivity

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate) Inkjet Inks Doped with Carbon Nanotubes and a Polar Solvent: The Effect of Formulation and Adhesion on Conductivity

Performance characterization of drop-on-demand micro-dispensing system with multi-printheads

Comparison of micro-dispensing performance between micro-valve and piezoelectric printhead

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