Metal Ink Solvent Selection for Conductive Wire Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conductive metal inks for ink-jet printing face challenges with high surface tension solvents like water, leading to reduced conductivity due to oxidation and agglomeration of metal nano particles, which affects dispersibility and spraying properties.
Innovation Solution
Selecting an organic solvent with a solubility parameter that matches or closely resembles the capping material's parameter to maximize dispersibility, minimize agglomeration, and enhance storage stability of metal nano particles, thereby improving the spraying and performance properties of the metal ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water or water-soluble organic solvent is used as the solvent for metal ink, then the metal ink can be easily produced and dispersed, but the surface tension is very high requiring control operations and metal nano particles oxidize when contacted with water reducing conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from water-based to organic solvent-based system. Specifically, it uses organic solvents with controlled solubility parameters (delta values) that match the capping material characteristics, thereby preventing oxidation of metal nano particles while maintaining dispersibility and eliminating the need for surface tension control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by using organic solvents instead of water-based solvents. The organic solvent system prevents oxidation of metal nano particles by excluding water contact, effectively creating a protective atmosphere that maintains conductivity without requiring additional oxidation prevention measures.
2Ease of manufacture
If metal nano particles are dispersed in water-based solvent, then the metal ink can be produced, but the metal nano particles agglomerate and dispersibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameters by selecting organic solvents with specific solubility parameters (delta values) that are matched to the capping material characteristics. This parameter matching prevents agglomeration and maintains stable dispersion of metal nano particles, improving both manufacturability and dispersibility simultaneously.
3Ease of manufacture
If high surface tension solvent like water is used, then metal ink can be produced, but surface tension control operation is required to make spraying possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent physical parameters by replacing water-based solvents with organic solvents that have lower and more suitable surface tension characteristics. This parameter change eliminates the need for surface tension control operations while maintaining ink production capability and improving sprayability.
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 selected solvent improves the dispersibility and storage stability of metal nano particles, reducing agglomeration and enhancing the spraying properties of the metal ink, resulting in improved performance of the produced metal wire.
Implementation Method 1
an organic solvent that has a solubility parameter for swelling the capping material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a metal ink that comprises metal nano particles that are capped by a capping material; and an organic solvent that has a solubility parameter for swelling the capping material. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing a metal wire, which comprises the steps of jetting the metal ink by using an ink-jet nozzle, drying the metal ink, and firing the metal ink.