Ink Jet Processing of Metallic Nanoparticle Suspensions for Electronic Circuitry Fabrication

A Review of Conductive Metal Nanomaterials as Conductive, Transparent, and Flexible Coatings, Thin Films, and Conductive Fillers: Different Deposition Methods and Applications

“…Researchers reported that curvature and surface effects of Au NPs could successfully lower the melting temperature of particles. Other researchers also have reported dramatic decreases in Au NP sintering temperature (~300 • C) as a result of using very small Au NPs (5-20 nm) in the deposition process, producing a pattern, thin film, or circuit of NPs on temperature-sensitive substrates [37][38][39]. Although applications of Au NPs as a thin film on plastic substrates have resulted in high-conductivity films or patterns, the cost of this material and its rarity in the Earth's crust are obstacles that limit the use of this valuable material.…”

“…This method also is suitable for large-area and roll-to-roll production of films. There are many reports on producing ink from Ag NPs [13,14,29,56], Au NPs [34,38,57], Cu NPs [40,41], Al NPs [55], and Sn NPs [53], and subsequent deposition of conductive thin films and circuits from these nanomaterials by ink-jet printing methods [12,17,20,58,59]. …”

Printing gold nanoparticles with an electrohydrodynamic direct-write device

“…Experiments using more concentrated metal colloids are underway with the objective of electrohydrodynamic deposition of even finer conductive tracks. (29) colloid solution 3nm -5μm Laser direct write (30) Gold Ink --8μm Ink-jet Printing (7) Gold nanoparticles in toluene 2-5nm 30 15μm Ink-jet Printing (31) Gold nanoparticles in toluene 2-4nm 30 20μm Ink-jet Printing (32) Gold nanoparticles in toluene 5-20nm 30-50 100μm Ink-jet Printing (33) Gold nanoparticles in toluene 2-4nm 30 125μm Ink-jet Printing (34) Silver nanoparticles in ␣-terpineol 5-7nm 10 100μm Ink-jet Printing (35) Silver nanoparticles in toluene 1-10nm 30 120μm Ink-jet Printing (36) Silver ink in xylene -16 160μm Ink-jet Printing (37) Silver nanodispersion 50nm 8 1.5mm Microcontact Printing (38) Copper --500nm Chemical Vapor Deposition (39) Copper --1μm…”

Lines of dense nanoparticle colloidal suspensions evaporating on a flat surface: Formation of non-uniform dried deposits

“…6F would serve as initial condition for the subsequent particle sintering stage [9,11]. To this end, topographic non-uniformities before thermal treatment would carry over to the final product.…”

“…For example, in the electronics industry, dense nanoparticle fluid suspensions are employed to inkjet complex patterns, which are subsequently dried to drive off the suspending medium and leave a solid thin-film deposit to be used as an electronic fixture [9][10][11]. Film deposit uniformity is a critical requirement when inkjet printing metal nanoparticle inks to form conductors or electrodes.…”