Surface charge reversal method for high-resolution inkjet printing of functional water-based inks

Abstract

Printed electronics is a rapidly growing area of research being explored for the manufacture of large-area and cost-effective electronic devices by the patterned application of functional inks. There are challenges associated with processing the inks compatible with inkjet printing technology and developing efficient methods to successfully obtain the desired features, particularly when it comes to metal and metal-organic complex inks. Here, a reliable method is developed to achieve a sophisticated microstructured pattern using the inkjet printing technique assisted by a surface charge reversal effect. In addition, a procedure is formulated to obtain good quality, stable metal-organic water-based inks compatible with salts of a variety of transition metals and rare earths, without the need for additional volatile solvents. A feasible and water-based ink formulation combined with a simple and noninvasive surface charge reversal treatment constitutes a major step toward the manufacture of high-resolution, inorganic patterned thin films on hydrophobic substrates using inkjet printing. These outcomes lead to the path of effective fusion of inorganic and organic heterointerfaces by simples designing and printing.