Metal Oxide Precursor Composition for Smooth Reverse Offset Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reverse offset printing, such as those using nano-sized metal or metal oxide particles, fail to produce metal oxide functional patterns with high resolution and smooth surfaces, leading to electrical disconnection and instability due to surface roughness and porosity, which are exacerbated by the need for high-temperature annealing that hinders continuous processing.
Innovation Solution
A metal oxide precursor composition comprising a metal salt dissolved in a first organic solvent with low surface tension and a second solvent with high boiling point and solubility parameter, allowing for improved rheological properties and thermal treatment to form a smooth, thin metal oxide pattern suitable for reverse offset printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If nano-sized metal or metal oxide particles are used in the ink composition, then the functional pattern can be formed, but the surface roughness increases and surface smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the metal precursor from particulate (nano-sized particles) to molecular (dissolved metal salt), fundamentally altering the ink composition parameters to eliminate surface roughness caused by particle morphology while maintaining functional pattern formation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful nano-sized metal or metal oxide particles from the ink composition, replacing them with dissolved metal salt precursors, thereby eliminating the source of surface irregularities while preserving the desired functional properties
2Reliability
If nano-sized particles are used to form the functional pattern, then the pattern can be created, but the film becomes porous and environmental stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the ink composition from a particulate-based system to a molecular-dissolved system, enabling the formation of non-porous, dense films that are resistant to ambient gas adsorption and exhibit superior environmental stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful porosity inherent in particle-derived films into a benefit by using dissolved metal salt precursors that form dense, non-porous films, thereby eliminating the susceptibility to ambient gas adsorption and improving environmental stability
3Productivity
If metal salt precursor ink is used for reverse offset printing, then the composition can be printed, but additional thermal treatment is needed which prevents continuous processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous reverse offset printing by formulating an ink composition that does not require intermittent thermal treatment steps, allowing the printing process to proceed continuously without interruption for semidry condition formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the need for additional thermal treatment steps from the printing process by using a specially formulated ink composition that achieves the desired semidry condition through its inherent solvent system and drying characteristics
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional metal salt ink is used, then the ink can be printed, but the resulting film has large thickness and high surface roughness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration and solubility parameters of the metal salt precursor in the ink composition, enabling the formation of ultra-thin films with controlled thickness and smooth surfaces that are unsuitable for conventional printing methods
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 composition achieves high-resolution, smooth metal oxide patterns with reduced surface roughness and thickness, enabling the formation of thin functional layers and allowing for continuous reverse offset printing processes without the need for additional thermal treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a first organic solvent having a surface tension of 25 mN/m or less
Implementation Method 2
a second organic solvent having a boiling point of 100° C. or higher and a solubility parameter of 10 cal1/2 cm−3/2 or greater, and in which the metal salt is soluble at a concentration of at least 1 mol/L
Implementation Method 3
The ink composition layer is then brought into contact with an engraved plate (cliche) to remove unnecessary parts of the ink composition layer from the PDMS blanket. Subsequently, the remainder of the ink composition layer on the cliche surface are transferred to a substrate
Implementation Method 4
The ink is specifically based on metal nitrates dissolved in an organic solvent
Implementation Method 5
The ink as described in Non Patent Literature 1 needs additional thermal treatment (heating) to promote the formation of the semidry condition
Data Source
AI summary
A metal oxide precursor composition includes a metal salt: a first organic solvent having a surface tension of 25 mN/m or less; and a second organic solvent having a boiling point of 100° C. or higher and a solubility parameter of 10 cal1/2 cm−3/2 or greater. The metal salt is soluble in the second organic solvent at a concentration of at least 1 mol/L.