Search

Due to their complex formulation, conductive nanoparticle inks for inkjet printing are limited in terms of the types of metals and substrates that can be utilized. A new and simplified class of inks called metal salt decomposition (MSD) inks has the potential to introduce a multitude of metals, which can be printed directly onto a wide range of substrates. Here, the use of atmospheric oxygen plasma to develop polycrystalline Au and Pt films at processing temperatures near room temperature (≈33 °C) with excellent conductivities up to 105 S m−1 is demonstrated. The conformal nature of the ink allows metal films to be printed onto a broad range of temperature-sensitive substrates including polymers, papers, and fabric. The Au ink is then used to build a simple light-emitting diode circuit showing its flexibility, durability, and long-term stability as deposited thin metal films. Additionally, such inks cost less than one-third the price of similar nanoparticle inks highlighting their overall affordability and good stability., This project was made possible by MCIU/AEI/FEDER Funding agency (RTI2018-102070-B-C21) under the name ECOTRONIC, and MICINN-Spain (RTC2019-007226-7). C.M-D acknowledges her Juan de la Cierva grant (ref. FJC2019-042161-I) from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. All authors would like to thank Prof. Fabiola Vilaseca Morera at the University of Girona (UdG) and her students for graciously providing various CNF paper substrates derived from cellulose pulp, eucalyptus, and abaca. Additionally, the authors would like to extend gratitude to David Batet for providing Teslin + CNF samples., With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).