Inkjet Printing of Silver for Direct Write Applications

Direct Write (DW) defines an emerging group of technologies that allow the printing of electronic and other functional components out of vacuum, directly onto conformal surfaces. Both ink-jet and nozzle deposition technologies, which are seen to be complementary for the wide range of materials and processing required by industry, are employed in this project.Silver neodecanoate salt is sensitive to both light source, including ultra violet light (UV) and heat source, and is a good inkjet printing precursor when dissolved in xylene. We have studied the electrical properties of inkjet printed silver samples, derived from silver neodecanoate ink, and investigated the influence of UV treatment before thermal curing the silver samples. UV exposure at room temperature is believed to control the nucleation of silver particles. In addition we have studied the influence of thermal pre-treatment on the printed samples. This pre-treatment is thought to assist the neodecanoate precursor to form a uniform distribution of silver nanoparticles. The influence of UV exposure, thermal pre-treatment and the thermal curing conditions on subsequent track microstructure, and its influence on electrical resistivity is reported for glass substrates. Furthermore, a series of extruding experimental at different nozzle offset and pumping pressure settings are conducted based on the rheological property of silicone oil and silver paste to find the ideal condition for producing continuous tracks with good shape. These findings are used to simulate a computer model for further applications.