Proceedings of nanoGe Fall Meeting 2021 (NFM21)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.nfm.2021.260
Publication date: 23rd September 2021
Inkjet printing of metal nanoparticles provides design flexibility, rapid processing and enables the 3D printing of functional electronic devices through co-deposition of multiple materials. A single step multifunctional AM of 3D electronic circuitry is demonstrated using a combination of conductive ink with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and dielectric materials within a multi-material jetting-based AM system. However, a lower and anisotropic electrical conductivity of printed AgNPs is observed compared to bulk materials. We employ a combination of electrical resistivity tests, morphological analysis and 3D nanoscale chemical analysis of printed devices using silver nanoparticles to show that the polymer stabiliser tends to concentrate between vertically stacked nanoparticle layers as well as at dielectric/conductive interfaces. Understanding the behaviour of organic residues in printed nanoparticles reveals potential new strategies to improve nanomaterial ink formulations and post-process techniques for functional printed electronics.