{"id":26339,"date":"2017-04-10T08:20:05","date_gmt":"2017-04-10T08:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leibniz-inm.de\/press-report\/hannover-messe-new-hybrid-inks-for-printed-flexible-electronics-without-sintering\/"},"modified":"2024-04-04T11:07:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T11:07:39","slug":"hannover-messe-new-hybrid-inks-for-printed-flexible-electronics-without-sintering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leibniz-inm.de\/en\/press-releases\/hannover-messe-new-hybrid-inks-for-printed-flexible-electronics-without-sintering\/","title":{"rendered":"Hannover Messe: New hybrid inks for printed, flexible electronics without sintering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientists at INM have developed a new type of hybrid inks which allows electronic circuits to be applied to paper directly from a pen.
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\n Whole press release<\/summary>\n

Flexible circuits can be produced inexpensively on foil or paper using printing processes and permit futuristic designs with curved diodes or input elements. This requires printable electronic materials that retain a high level of conductivity during usage in spite of their curved surfaces. Research scientists at INM \u2013 Leibniz Institute for New Materials have now developed a new type of hybrid inks which allows electronic circuits to be applied to paper directly from a pen, for example. They are usable after drying without any further processing.<\/p>\n

The developers will be demonstrating their results and the possibilities they offer at stand B46 in hall 2 at this year’s Hannover Messe which takes place from April 24 to April 28.
\nTo create their hybrid inks, the scientists combined the benefits of polymers and metallic nanoparticles: gold or silver nanoparticles are coated with organic, conductive polymers and are then suspended in mixtures of water and alcohol. <\/p>\n

\u201cMetal nanoparticles with ligands are already today printed to form electronics circuits,\u201d explains the materials scientist Kraus, adding that the shells mostly had to be removed by a sintering process. While the shells control the arrangement of the nanoparticles, they impede conductivity. He added that this was difficult in the case of carrier materials that are sensitive to temperature such as paper or polymer films since these would be damaged during the sintering process. Kraus summarizes the results of his research, saying, \u201cOur new hybrid inks are conductive in the as-dried state, are mechanically flexible, and do not require sintering\u201d.<\/p>\n

In their hybrid inks, the organic compounds have three functions: \u201cThe compounds serve as ligands, ensuring that the nanoparticles remain suspended in the liquid mixture; any agglomeration of particles would have a negative effect on the printing process. Simultaneously, the organic ligands ensure that the nanoparticles have a good arrangement when drying. Ultimately, the organic compounds act as \u00b4hinges\u00b4: if the material is bent, they maintain the electrical conductivity. In a layer of metal particles without the polymer sheath, the electrical conductivity would be quickly lost on bending,\u201d Kraus continues. <\/p>\n

Due to the combination of both materials, when bent, the electrical conductivity is greater than in a layer that is made purely of conductive polymer or a layer made purely of metal nanoparticles.<\/p>\n

INM \u2013 Leibniz Institute for New Materials, situated in Saarbr\u00fccken, is an internationally leading centre for materials research. INM conducts research and development to create new materials \u2013 for today, tomorrow and beyond. Research at INM is performed in three fields: Nanocomposite Technology, Interface Materials, and Bio Interfaces. INM is an institute of the Leibniz Association and has about 240 employees.<\/p>\n