A promising approach to conductive patterns with high efficiency for flexible electronics

A promising approach for conductive patterns with high efficiency for flexible electronics was developed by direct-writing, silver(I) solution (silver nitrate, acetate silver, etc.) with no solid particles as a conductive ink, conductive pen as a writing implement, and polyimide (PI) film as a substrate. The physical properties of the conductive ink were investigated by a dynamic contact angle system, ubbelohde viscometer and surface tension instrument. Conductive properties of silver ink film were investigated by 4-point probe, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface profilometer. It is demonstrated how the design of solvent composition in conductive ink affects surface morphology, and conductivity of silver ink films. It can be obtained that conductive patterns drawn on PI substrate not only have good mechanical/electrical fatigue properties, but also have low resistivity. Especially, when the sintering condition is 200 °C for 60 min, the resistivity can be down to 6.6 μΩ cm, 4.25 times the silver bulk resistivity.