Low-Temperature Conductive Paste for Low-Resistivity Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermosetting conductive pastes typically require high-temperature treatment above 250°C to achieve good adhesion and electrical characteristics, resulting in higher specific resistance compared to high-temperature firing type conductive pastes.

Innovation Solution

A conductive paste comprising a conductive component, a thermosetting resin, a compound with a specific structure as a cationic polymerization initiator, and a solvent, which can be treated at a low temperature of not more than 250°C to form a conductive film with a low specific resistance, using silver or copper particles and a mixture of spherical and flaky particles for enhanced conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermosetting conductive paste is used, then adhesion and electrical characteristics are improved, but treatment temperature must be increased above 250°C resulting in higher specific resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion and electrical characteristicsVSAvoidtreatment temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the conductive paste by incorporating specific organic solvents (ethyl glycol monophenyl ether, butyl carbitol acetate) and controlled amounts of water (0.1-5.0 mass%), along with specific resin ratios (epoxy resin 20-70 parts, phenolic resin 10-50 parts, cellulose resin 10-50 parts per 100 parts silver particles). These parameter changes enable the paste to cure effectively at lower temperatures (not more than 250°C) while maintaining good adhesion and achieving low specific resistance (not more than 10 μΩ·cm), thus resolving the contradiction between treatment temperature and electrical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high-temperature firing type conductive paste is used, then specific resistance is reduced, but treatment temperature must be increased to 550-900°C

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific resistanceVSAvoidfiring temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite resin system combining epoxy resin, phenolic resin, and cellulose resin in specific proportions, along with a multi-component solvent system. This composite material formulation creates a synergistic effect where the phenolic and cellulose resins provide thermal stability and adhesion at lower temperatures, while the epoxy resin contributes to low specific resistance. The composite structure allows the paste to achieve electrical characteristics comparable to high-temperature firing pastes without requiring temperatures above 250°C.

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 conductive paste achieves a low specific resistance and reliable thermal curing at reduced temperatures, suitable for forming electrodes in semiconductor devices and solar cells without thermal degradation.

Implementation Method 1

a compound having a structure of formula (1) as a cationic polymerization initiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCationic polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

conductive paste containing (A) silver particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

a thermosetting conductive paste that can be used to form electrodes and circuit patterns in devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal curing: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3726538B1Conductive paste
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 NAMICS CORPORATION
  • EP3726538B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726538B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3726538B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a thermosetting conductive paste which is able to be processed at low temperature (for example, at 250°C or less), and which enables the achievement of a conductive film that has low resistivity. The conductive paste which contains (A) a conductive component, (B) a thermosetting resin, (C) a compound having a specific structure, and (D) a solvent.