Electrical sintering of nanoparticle structures

Abstract

A method for sintering nanoparticles by applying voltage is presented. This electrical sintering method is demonstrated using silver nanoparticle structures ink-jet-printed onto temperature-sensitive photopaper. The conductivity of the printed nanoparticle layer increases by more than five orders of magnitude during the sintering process, with the final conductivity reaching 3.7 × 10(7) S m(-1) at best. Due to a strong positive feedback induced by the voltage boundary condition, the process is very rapid-the major transition occurs within 2 µs. The best obtained conductivity is two orders of magnitude better than for the equivalent structures oven-sintered at the maximum tolerable temperature of the substrate. Additional key advantages of the method include the feasibility for patterning, systematic control of the final conductivity and in situ process monitoring. The method offers a generic tool for electrical functionalization of nanoparticle structures.

Mechanical behavior of strain sensors based on PEDOT:PSS and silver nanoparticles inks deposited on polymer substrate by inkjet printing

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Metal-based Inkjet Inks for Printed Electronics

“…In this method, the sintering is reached by applying a voltage over the printed structure that causes current flow through the structure, leading to a local heating by energy dissipation [39]. The main advantages of this method are the short sintering time (from microseconds to tens of seconds) and reduced substrate heating.…”

Conductivity Enhancement of Binder‐Based Graphene Inks by Photonic Annealing and Subsequent Compression Rolling

“…Such an annealing of graphene sheets only for short time intervals is also safe for the substrate (even PET and PEN), as the heating is only local and indirect. These methods include Joule heating, [31] microwave irradiation, [12] infra-red heating, [32] and photonic flash annealing. [6,[33][34][35] The latter is a contactless, highly controllable method compatible with highspeed R2R processing and, since it is based on the light absorption, holds great promise for graphene applications.…”