Viscosity-Adjusted Metal Complex Printing Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing ink compositions for conductive and semiconductive patterns lack the ability to adjust viscosity effectively, which is crucial for various printing techniques, and do not provide a stable viscosity over time, affecting the precision and reliability of printed electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A printing ink composition comprising a metal salt and a viscosity adjusting agent, where the agent includes a combination of monofunctional and multifunctional ligands, allowing for precise adjustment of viscosity between 0.5 and 50 Pa.s, and maintaining stability for extended periods, using a molar ratio of metal ion to functional groups between 1:1 and 1:1.5, preferably 1:1.25, to achieve desired viscosity for specific printing methods like inkjet, flexo, and screen printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a metal complex is used as printing ink, then the ink can be printed using various printing methods, but the viscosity cannot be adjusted effectively and is unstable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the viscosity adjustable rather than fixed. By using a combination of monofunctional and multifunctional ligands in varying ratios, the viscosity can be dynamically tuned to match different printing method requirements while maintaining stability during storage and printing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the metal complex by incorporating both monofunctional ligands (e.g., amines, carboxylic acids) and multifunctional ligands (e.g., polyamines, polycarboxylic acids) in specific molar ratios. This parameter adjustment enables precise control over viscosity while maintaining printability and stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the viscosity is adjusted for specific printing methods, then the printing precision can be improved, but the ink composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by creating a single ink composition system that can serve multiple printing methods (inkjet, flexographic, screen printing) through adjustable ligand ratios. The same base metal complex with ligand combination can be adapted for different printing techniques by modifying only the ligand proportion, not the entire composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the viscosity control function by separating it into independent ligand components (monofunctional and multifunctional ligands) whose ratios can be adjusted independently. This allows precise viscosity tuning without redesigning the entire ink formulation, simplifying the overall system while achieving precision.
3Reliability
If a stable viscosity is maintained over time, then the reliability of printed electronic devices is improved, but the ability to adapt viscosity for different printing techniques is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a stable metal complex base composition that provides reliable printing performance. The ligand combination is designed to maintain stability during storage and printing, while the adjustable ratio of monofunctional to multifunctional ligands allows post-formulation adaptation to different printing techniques without compromising reliability.
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 composition enables high-precision printing of conductive and semiconductive tracks with stable viscosity, suitable for various substrates, and broadened radiation absorption spectrum, allowing for efficient curing without heating sensitive substrates, with a long shelf life and suitable for producing conductive, semiconductive, emitting, and absorbing patterns.
Implementation Method 1
broadened radiation absorption spectrum, allowing for efficient curing without heating sensitive substrates
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A printing ink composition according to the invention comprises a metal salt of a metal ion and a counter ion, and a viscosity adjusting agent. The metal ion is present as a metal complex of the metal ion and the viscosity adjusting agent, the viscosity adjusting agent comprises at least one functional ligand, wherein the functional ligand is selected from the group consisting of monofunctional ligands a monofunctional ligand being a ligand having one functional group, and multifunctional ligands a multifunctional ligand being a ligand having more than one functional groups.