Silver-Organic Complex Ink for Low-Temperature Conductive Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current silver nanoparticle-based inkjet inks face issues such as complex synthesis protocols, high costs, high sintering temperatures, particle aggregation, nozzle clogging, poor shelf life, and jetting instability, which hinder their widespread use in printed electronics.
Innovation Solution
Development of particle-free silver-organo-complex (SOC) inks with a formulation comprising a silver salt, alkyl amine, amino alcohol, and carboxylic acid or its salt, which act as reducing agents, offering improved stability, conductivity, and lower sintering temperatures, allowing for stable jetting and adhesion to various substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver nanoparticle-based inkjet ink is used, then conductivity can be achieved, but sintering temperature becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink formulation by using silver-organo-complexes with specific ligands (amines, amino alcohols, carboxylic acids) that modify the decomposition behavior. This allows the silver to be deposited at lower temperatures (80-150°C) while maintaining high conductivity, resolving the contradiction between achieving conductivity and avoiding high sintering temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite silver-organo-complex materials where silver ions are coordinated with organic ligands. This composite structure enables controlled decomposition at lower temperatures while still forming conductive silver networks, thus achieving conductivity without requiring high sintering temperatures typical of nanoparticle inks.
2Reliability
If silver nanoparticle-based inkjet ink is used, then conductivity can be achieved, but particle aggregation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of silver from particulate to molecular/dissolved state by forming silver-organo-complexes. This eliminates particle aggregation issues while maintaining conductivity, as the silver is deposited from a molecular complex rather than aggregated particles.
3Reliability
If silver nanoparticle-based inkjet ink is used, then conductivity can be achieved, but nozzle clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form of silver from solid particles to dissolved molecular complexes in the ink formulation. This eliminates nozzle clogging while maintaining conductivity capability, as the molecular complexes can flow freely through inkjet nozzles without particle aggregation or clogging.
4Reliability
If silver nanoparticle-based inkjet ink is used, then conductivity can be achieved, but jetting stability becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical formulation from particulate suspension to molecular complex solution, fundamentally improving jetting stability. The dissolved silver-organo-complexes provide consistent flow and deposition characteristics without the variability associated with particle-based inks, while still achieving high conductivity.
5Reliability
If silver nanoparticle-based inkjet ink is used, then conductivity can be achieved, but shelf life becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the formulation from particle suspension prone to aggregation and degradation to stable molecular complexes. The silver-organo-complexes exhibit enhanced chemical stability and resistance to degradation, significantly extending shelf life while maintaining conductivity capability upon deposition.
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 SOC inks provide high conductivity, stability, and excellent adhesion, enabling the fabrication of high-quality RF electronic devices with improved performance and reduced processing temperatures, suitable for diverse ink deposition techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The inks can include complexing molecules that act as reducing agents
Data Source
AI summary
A robust formulation of silver-organo-complex (SOC) ink and method of making same are provided. In an aspect, the complexing molecules act as reducing agents. The silver loaded ink can be printed and sintered on a wide range of substrates with uniform surface morphology and excellent adhesion.