Metal Ink Composition for Suppressing Particle Agglomeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal ink formulations often experience particle agglomeration, leading to decreased denseness and stability of the metal layer, particularly in high-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A metal ink comprising metal particles, a solvent, and a polyhydric alcohol with two or more OH groups, which are soluble in water and ethanol, is developed. The polyhydric alcohol is used in specific ratios to prevent agglomeration, with a melting point of 30°C or more, and includes water and a high-boiling solvent with OH groups, enhancing dispersion and sinterability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If metal particles are dispersed in a liquid to form metal ink, then the ink can be ejected from nozzles for manufacturing, but the metal particles may agglomerate causing degradation in product characteristics and decrease in metal layer denseness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polyhydric alcohol as an intermediary substance between metal particles and the liquid solvent. This polyhydric alcohol contains multiple hydroxyl groups that can coordinate with metal particles through chelation, forming a stable complex that prevents particle agglomeration while maintaining dispersion in the liquid medium for printable ink formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation consisting of metal particles, polyhydric alcohol, and liquid solvent. The polyhydric alcohol acts as a binding agent that forms a composite structure around metal particles, preventing direct particle-to-particle contact and agglomeration, thereby maintaining both manufacturability and metal layer denseness
2Reliability
If metal particles are used to form a metal layer, then the layer can provide good heat resistance and stability, but particle agglomeration occurs leading to decreased denseness and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The polyhydric alcohol serves as a mediating agent that stabilizes metal particles during storage and application. The multiple hydroxyl groups form protective complexes around particles, preventing agglomeration that would compromise layer stability, while the metal particles themselves maintain their inherent heat resistance properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical environment by introducing polyhydric alcohol with specific molecular weight and multiple hydroxyl groups. This changes the interaction parameters between metal particles and solvent, creating a stable colloidal dispersion that prevents agglomeration while preserving the thermal and compositional stability of the metal layer
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 solution effectively suppresses metal particle agglomeration, maintaining the denseness and stability of the metal layer, even in high-temperature conditions, and improves the sinterability and bonding quality.
Implementation Method 1
a polyhydric alcohol containing two or more OH groups and soluble in water and ethanol
Implementation Method 2
The polyhydric alcohol is preferably contained in an amount of 0.01% or more and 20.0% or less in mass ratio to a total amount of the metal ink
Implementation Method 3
Silver paste can be sintered under relatively low temperature conditions, and the melting point of a bonding layer formed after sintering is equivalent to that of silver
Implementation Method 4
the solvent includes a high-boiling solvent that contains one or more OH groups, has a boiling point of 150° C. or more, and is a liquid hardly soluble or insoluble in water
Data Source
AI summary
Agglomeration of metal particles is to be suppressed. A metal ink contains metal particles, a solvent, and a polyhydric alcohol containing two or more OH groups and soluble in water and ethanol.