Aerosol-Jettable Silver Nanoparticle Convertible Ink
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible inks require high temperatures for curing and subsequent thermal treatments for conductivity, which can be energy-intensive and limit their application in flexible electronics.
Innovation Solution
A printable ink comprising silver nanoparticles coated with a polymer, which can be cured at low temperatures (100-120°C) and converted to a conductive state by decomposing the polymer with laser light, allowing for spontaneous coalescence of silver nanoparticles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing convertible inks are used, then conductive patterns can be formed, but high temperatures are required for curing and subsequent thermal treatments which increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific polymer-coated silver nanoparticles and sacrificial agents that enable low-temperature processing. This allows the curing temperature to be reduced from traditional high temperatures to below 150°C, directly resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and curing temperature requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional thermal field (heat-based processing) with a chemical field mechanism. The sacrificial agents undergo chemical decomposition at low temperatures to create voids that enable nanoparticle coalescence, substituting the need for high-temperature thermal treatment and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the conductive pattern formation capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If high temperatures are used for curing and thermal treatment, then conductive patterns are achieved, but this limits application in flexible electronics
Solution Approach 1:
By modifying the chemical composition parameters to include low-temperature-decomposing sacrificial agents and polymer-coated nanoparticles, the patent enables processing at temperatures suitable for flexible substrates (below 150°C), thereby expanding the adaptability to flexible electronics applications while maintaining the conductive pattern formation function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sacrificial agents as intermediary substances that decompose at low temperatures to create voids and enable nanoparticle coalescence. These intermediaries facilitate the conductive pattern formation process without requiring high temperatures, thus enabling application in temperature-sensitive flexible electronics
3Temperature
If polymer coating is used on silver nanoparticles, then the ink can be cured at low temperature, but the polymer must be decomposed to achieve conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the curing process and the polymer decomposition process into a single integrated low-temperature treatment step. The sacrificial agents are designed to decompose at the same low temperature range used for curing, combining two previously separate high-temperature steps into one low-temperature process, thereby reducing overall process complexity while maintaining low curing temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-selecting polymer coatings and sacrificial agents with matched decomposition temperatures that align with the curing temperature. This preliminary selection ensures that both curing and polymer removal occur at low temperatures without requiring additional high-temperature steps, thus reducing process complexity while achieving the low-temperature curing goal
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 a conductive pattern without the need for high-temperature processing, reducing energy consumption and enabling flexible electronic applications.
Implementation Method 1
application of further energy, (e.g., laser light) can decompose polymer molecules and lead to spontaneous coalescence of silver nanoparticles to create conductive pattern
Implementation Method 2
performing a polyol process with a metal salt, a capping agent and a solvent to produce encapsulated nanospheres
Implementation Method 3
adding solvent soluble with the capping agent and agitating the mixture via centrifugation to form a supernatant and a precipitate that includes the encapsulated nanospheres
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a convertible ink. The method includes: performing a polyol process with a metal salt, a capping agent and a solvent to produce encapsulated nanospheres in a first aqueous solution; reducing the amount of capping agent in the solution. The capping agent can be reduced by: adding solvent soluble with the capping agent and agitating the mixture via centrifugation to form a supernatant and a precipitate that includes the encapsulated nanospheres; removing the supernatant; adding a second solvent to the precipitate to form a second solution; agitating the second solution to form a second supernatant and a precipitate that includes the encapsulated nanospheres; and removing the second supernatant.