Conductive Metal Ink Composition for Roll Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for forming conductive patterns, such as photolithography, are complex and expensive, and existing conductive ink compositions for roll printing lack sufficient conductivity and stability, making it difficult to achieve fine, conductive patterns with improved conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A conductive metal ink composition comprising conductive metal powder, an organic silver complex with amine and hydroxyl groups, and a non-aqueous solvent system with solvents of varying vapor pressures, along with a coatability improving polymer, which allows for uniform coating, pattern formation, and high conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conductive ink composition with low initial viscosity is used for roll printing, then the coating uniformity is improved, but the conductivity of the formed pattern deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by introducing a specific organic silver complex with amine and hydroxyl groups that binds with silver salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid. This complex maintains low viscosity for good coating while the unique molecular structure enables high conductivity after sintering, resolving the contradiction between coating uniformity and conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite ink formulation containing conductive metal powder, organic silver complex, and coatability improving polymer together. The organic silver complex acts as a bridge between the metal powder and polymer matrix, creating a composite material that maintains processability (low viscosity) while ensuring electrical conductivity through the silver complex network
2Manufacturing precision
If photolithography is used to form conductive patterns, then the pattern precision is improved, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential coating and sintering steps from the photolithography process by using a specialized conductive ink that self-patterns during coating. The ink formulation eliminates the need for photosensitive materials, exposing, developing, and etching steps, while still achieving precise conductive patterns through the roll printing method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses roll printing to create a physical copy/imprint of the conductive pattern directly onto the substrate through the ink composition. The intaglio printing cliché transfers the pattern design directly without requiring photographic processes, simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow while maintaining pattern precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ink composition enables the formation of fine, conductive patterns with improved conductivity by maintaining low viscosity for uniform coating, pattern retention, and high conductivity, simplifying the roll printing process and reducing costs compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a non-aqueous solvent comprising a first non-aqueous solvent having a vapor pressure of 3 torr or lower at 25° C. and a second non-aqueous solvent having a vapor pressure of higher than 3 torr at 25° C.
Implementation Method 2
an organic silver complex where an organic ligand including amine group and hydroxyl group binds with a silver (Ag) salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid
Implementation Method 3
sintering the transferred pattern on the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a conductive metal ink composition which is properly applied for roll-printing process to form conductive pattern with improved conductivity, and the method of preparing a conductive pattern using the same.The conductive metal ink composition comprises a conductive metal powder; an organic silver complex where an organic ligand including amine group and hydroxyl group binds with a silver (Ag) salt of aliphatic carboxylic acid; a non-aqueous solvent comprising a first non-aqueous solvent having a vapor pressure of 3 torr or lower at 25° C. and a second non-aqueous solvent having a vapor pressure of higher than 3 torr at 25° C.; and a coatability improving polymer.