Conductive Inks

Research and Practice of Colloids in Conductive Inks

Due to nanoscale quantum confinement and size-dependent interfacial and thermodynamic properties, colloidal nanomaterials possess unique electrical, optical, magnetic, chemical, and/or structural properties, driving their application in conductive inks. Stable copper nanoparticles synthesized by polyol method using the cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, K30) as dual capping agents in ambient atmosphere colloid, not only the impurity rate is low, but also the produced nano-copper conductive inks have good dispersibility and no obvious precipitation.

Fig.1 Photo image of nano copper ink (1 wt%) after 30 days since electrodialysis has been done.^[1]

The colloidal dispersions of nanostructured conducting polymers have both liquid properties and nanoscale morphology, providing a route for the processing of conducting polymer nanostructures and the preparation of composite materials. The stable colloidal dispersions of polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes/nanorods can be stored for a long time and exhibit good electrochemical redox activity, which makes them a promising conductive ink.

Fig.2 Nanotubular PPy colloid stabilized with 0.2 wt.% PVP coated on flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) foil.^[2]

Alfa Chemistry is constantly making new attempts to synthesize colloidal nanomaterials, providing specific technical solutions for the development of colloidal conductive inks. We strive to develop colloid-based composites and study the effect of parameters on properties to fully expand their application benefits. In recent years, Alfa Chemistry's research focus has been on green and environmentally friendly water-based conductive inks. The related series of products developed by Alfa Chemistry have remarkable electrical conductivity, which is obviously better than the performance of products in the same industry. The colloidal conductive inks produced can maintain good dispersion for a long time without obvious precipitation.

What Can We Do?

• Alfa Chemistry can provide various types of colloidal nanomaterials and synthesis methods for conductive ink applications. We can also control the size and size distribution of colloidal particles through parameter tuning.
• Alfa Chemistry uses electrodialysis device to eliminate impurities in nanoparticle colloids and realize large-scale nanoparticle purification.
• Alfa Chemistry has a series of effective analytical tools to support the performance research of conductive inks.

References

1. Tang X F, et al. A simple way of preparing high-concentration and high-purity nano copper colloid for conductive ink in inkjet printing technology. Colloids & Surfaces A Physicochemical & Engineering Aspects. 2010, 360(1-3):99-104.
2. Li Y, et al. Colloids of polypyrrole nanotubes/nanorods: A promising conducting ink. Synthetic Metals. 2016, 221:67-74.

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