Silver Molecular Ink Low Viscosity Sintering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current silver neodecanoate inks have low solubility issues leading to thin silver deposits and high viscosity, requiring multiple layers for thick traces, and high processing temperatures, which are costly and time-consuming, limiting their application in various printing techniques and substrates.
Innovation Solution
A molecular silver ink formulation with a silver carboxylate loading of 23 wt% or more, combined with an organic amine and a polymeric binder, achieving lower viscosity and lower processing temperatures, allowing for higher silver content and improved print quality at reduced thermal sintering temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If silver neodecanoate is diluted to form a uniform ink, then solubility and uniformity are improved, but silver loading decreases and viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink formulation by introducing specific solvents (ethanolamine, isopropanolamine) and polymeric binders (PVP, polyesters) to improve silver salt solubility without requiring excessive dilution. This allows maintaining high silver loading (30-40 wt%) while achieving uniform ink composition through enhanced molecular-level dissolution.
2Ease of operation
If silver neodecanoate ink is diluted to reduce viscosity, then viscosity decreases and printability is improved, but silver loading decreases and deposit thickness reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite ink system combining silver neodecanoate with multiple functional components: ethanolamine/isopropanolamine as solvents and chelating agents, PVP as a polymeric binder, and additional polyesters. This composite formulation achieves low viscosity for excellent printability while maintaining high silver loading (30-40 wt%) through synergistic interactions between components.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple layers are printed to achieve thick silver traces, then deposit thickness is improved, but processing time increases and print quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the ink's physical parameters by formulating it with low viscosity through the addition of ethanolamine/isopropanolamine and polymeric binders. This enables single-pass printing to achieve thick silver deposits (up to 10 micrometers) without requiring multiple layer applications, thereby reducing processing time and improving print quality consistency.
4Reliability
If high processing temperature is used for sintering, then silver sintering is achieved, but substrate cost increases and thermal damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the ink formulation by incorporating ethanolamine or isopropanolamine which decompose at lower temperatures (190-220°C), and polymeric binders that facilitate sintering at reduced temperatures. This enables complete silver sintering and conductivity achievement at lower processing temperatures (150-200°C), reducing substrate cost requirements and minimizing thermal damage risk to temperature-sensitive substrates.
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 ink achieves higher silver loading and lower processing temperatures, enabling the production of conductive silver traces with improved conductivity and flexibility, suitable for diverse printing techniques and substrates, including those at lower cost, with reduced substrate damage.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric binder comprising a polyester, polyimide, polyether imide or any mixture thereof having functional groups which are polar groups capable of participating in hydrogen bonding that render the polymeric binder compatible with the organic amine
Implementation Method 2
sintering the non-conductive trace of the ink on the substrate to form the conductive silver trace
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A molecular ink contains: a silver carboxylate; and a polymeric binder comprising a polyester, polyimide, polyether imide or any mixture thereof having functional groups that render the polymeric binder compatible with the organic amine. Such an ink may have higher silver loading, lower viscosity and lower processing temperatures than existing silver inks.