Conductive Coating Process Using Halide Ion Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing electrically conductive coatings require high temperatures and/or result in coatings with low conductivity, limiting their application and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the application of a composition with electrically conductive metal particles and a binder to a substrate, followed by treatment with water in the presence of a halide ion source at temperatures from ambient to 200°C, which enhances conductivity without the need for high-temperature processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-temperature processing (>100°C) is applied to cure or dry the coating, then the electrical conductivity reaches standardized levels (≥25 mΩ/25 μm), but the processing time increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the treatment medium by introducing water-soluble halide ions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, or I⁻) to create a chemical environment that accelerates conductivity development. This allows the coating to achieve standardized conductivity at lower temperatures (ambient to 100°C) and shorter times, directly resolving the contradiction between conductivity reliability and processing time loss
2Reliability
If high-temperature processing (>350°C) is applied to fire the coating, then the electrical conductivity approaches that of solid metal, but the substrate selection is limited to ceramic substrates only
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature firing (>350°C) to low-temperature treatment (ambient to 100°C) by introducing halide ion chemistry. This parameter change enables the process to be applied to diverse substrates including plastics, metals, and ceramics, resolving the contradiction between achieving high conductivity and maintaining substrate versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble halide ions act as a chemical intermediary that enables conductivity enhancement without requiring high-temperature firing. The halide ions facilitate metal particle bonding and conductivity development at low temperatures, allowing the process to work on temperature-sensitive substrates that cannot withstand conventional high-temperature firing
3Reliability
If conventional drying or curing methods are used, then the coating achieves adequate conductivity, but additional high-temperature processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the drying/curing step with the conductivity enhancement step into a single low-temperature treatment process using water-soluble halide ions. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate high-temperature firing or additional conductivity treatment steps, reducing process complexity while maintaining or improving conductivity reliability
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
This process achieves high electrical conductivity, with specific surface resistances below 100 mΩ/25 μm, comparable to or exceeding previous methods, while being rapid and cost-effective, suitable for various electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the coated substrate to at least one treatment with water in the presence of a halide ion source at a temperature in the range from ambient temperature to 200° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for producing articles having on at least part of their surface an electrically conductive coating by at least partly coating a substrate with a composition comprising finely divided electrically conductive metal particles and a binder and subjecting the coated substrate to at least one treatment with water in the presence of a halide ion source at a temperature in the range from ambient temperature to 200° C. The process of the invention allows articles having an electrically conductive coating to be produced in a simple, rapid and mild way.