Interlayer Composition for Electronic Printing Adhesion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Metal nanoparticle inks on substrates like glass and polyimide often lack adequate adhesion and mechanical robustness, which can compromise the performance of electronic devices, and previous solutions that improve adhesion, such as adding polyvinyl butyral, may reduce electrical conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising polyvinyl butyral, a poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer, and an anhydride is used to form an interlayer that enhances adhesion and conductivity of conductive features without sacrificing mechanical properties, including the optional use of epoxy resin, surfactants, and catalysts to control wetting and curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyvinyl butyral is added to silver conducting inks as an adhesion promoter, then adhesion of metal nanoparticle inks on substrates is improved, but electrical conductivity of printed conductive features is significantly decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interlayer composition comprising polyvinyl butyral resin, poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer, and anhydride as a mediator between the substrate and conductive features. This interlayer acts as an intermediary that promotes adhesion while maintaining electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction by separating the adhesion function from the conductive function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite interlayer material combining polyvinyl butyral resin, poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer, and anhydride. This composite material provides both adhesion promotion and electrical conductivity maintenance, resolving the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into a single composite system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If polyvinyl butyral is added to improve adhesion, then mechanical robustness is enhanced, but device fabrication reliability is compromised due to reduced conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical robustnessVSAvoiddevice fabrication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interlayer composition serves as a mediator that provides mechanical robustness through polyvinyl butyral resin while maintaining device fabrication reliability by incorporating poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer and anhydride that preserve electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite interlayer material combines polyvinyl butyral resin for mechanical robustness with poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer and anhydride for maintaining electrical conductivity, thus achieving both mechanical strength and device fabrication reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 interlayer composition significantly improves adhesion and maintains high electrical conductivity, providing excellent insulative properties without requiring costly materials like polyvinyl phenol, and allows for robust mechanical properties in electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

adhesion of metal nanoparticle inks on certain substrates, such as glasses and polyimide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a polyvinyl butyral represented by the following formula... a poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer and an anhydride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

electrical conductivity of printed conductive features from such inks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

a cured film formed from a composition including a polyvinyl butyral resin... a poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer and an anhydride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3257906B1Interlayer composition for electronic printing
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 XEROX CORP
  • EP3257906B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3257906B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3257906B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a composition including a polyvinyl butyral represented by the following formula: wherein A, B and C represent a proportion of corresponding repeat units expressed as a weight percent, wherein each repeat unit is randomly distributed along a polymer chain and wherein the sum of A, B and C is about 100 weight percent; a poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) based polymer and an anhydride. Devices coated with the composition and cured films formed from the composition comprising conductive features are also provided.