Highly conductive electronics circuits from aerosol jet printed silver inks

Abstract

Recently, low-cost electronics printed on lightweight, flexible and 3D shaped substrates are gaining importance in the markets of wearables and smart packaging. However, printed electronics do not meet the electrical performance of subtractive techniques because the resistivity of metallic printed patterns is still much higher than that of bulk material. To fulfil this need, low-resistive and easy printable inks for high resolution printed electronics techniques are needed. In this work, parameters of silver nanoparticles ink for micro-scale printed electronics technique, Aerosol Jet Printing, are being enhanced. To increase electrical conductivity and enhance printability, surfactants and dispersing agents were used to increase ultrasonic atomisation efficiency, obtain a uniform structure of printed lines, and narrow the width of printed patterns. Electrical measurements show a decrease in resistivity value in samples enhanced by cationic and non-ionic surfactants, by 95%, compared to initially prepared inks. Surfactant additions to silver nanoparticles Aerosol Jet Printing ink show promising features for application in modern electronics.

FFF 3D Printing in Electronic Applications: Dielectric and Thermal Properties of Selected Polymers

“…the conductive tracks and their contact with the electrical components can be realized by the (i) integration of the conductive wires and foils [35]; (ii) deposition of conductive inks or pastes by aerosol jet printing or dispensing; and (iii) 3D printing of the conductive filaments. On the one hand, the deposition of conductive inks or pastes is suitable for the realization of very fine conductive structures [36,37]; on the other hand, these materials have to be subsequently cured at a high temperature or by a special cure method [38,39]. The deposition of conductive materials can be replaced by the 3D printing of conductive filaments.…”

Micro-scale aerosol jet printing of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticle patterns

“…The creation of a suitable aerosol has been shown to be important to achieving printed narrow lines with good edge definition 14 . Within this framework, ultrasonic atomisation was used in the present work because, compared to pneumatic atomization, it creates a denser aerosol mist containing smaller droplets and it is particularly suited for high-resolution applications 48 . Ultrasonic atomization allows the deposition of dispersions of functional nanoparticles with a maximum size of 50 nm and a viscosity range of 0-10 cP.…”

Inkjet Printing of Functional Inks for Smart Products

“…The most disseminated ones are piezoelectric and thermal inkjet printing, nonetheless, there are other methods whose popularity is increasing and can also grant high-quality printing of functional inks [36]. Among those, electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-IJP [37][38][39], aerosol jet printing [40], drop impact printing [41], and acoustic printing [42], can be highlighted.…”

“…CIJ and DoD printing characteristics [2,35,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. developments in the various IJP technologies, noting the significant growth rate of inkjet printers market.…”