HOW IT WORKS:

PChem’s disruptive technology is enabled by the method by which the metal nanoparticles are stabilized in situ during synthesis. The patented production method and proprietary ink formulation technology enable unique attributes and inherent advantages to the materials, including:

Aqueous Dispersions and Inks:

- Fully scalable, lower cost, aqueous synthesis process for silver nanoparticles

- Proprietary ink formulation technology allowing minimal impact of additives on the conductivity of cured films while improving rheology, adhesion, and print quality.

- More environmentally friendly aqueous inks compared to competitive organic solvent ink systems

Low Temperature Curing:

The unique stabilization chemistry of PChem’s aqueous silver nanoparticle dispersions allows them to cure at lower temperatures than competitive materials.  The chart below shows typical ranges required with conventional heating methods.

High Speed Curing/Processing:

PChem’s inks can be cured to high conductivity in much shorter residence times than competitors’ nanoparticle inks as well as traditional flake based polymer thick film inks. The resistivity as a function of cure time of PChem’s flexo ink and competitive materials is shown in the plot below.  Even shorter curing times (as little as 0.5 seconds) can be achieved with short wavelength infrared and photonic heating methods (contact PChem for more details).

PChem and competitive materials’ resistivity as a function of time.

Higher Conductivity/Lower resistivity Films:

During curing PChem’s nanoparticles sinter together creating many continuous metallic paths throughout the volume of the films.  This results in much lower volume resistivity for PChem’s films compared to traditional polymer thick film inks (PTF) as depicted in the diagram below:

The SEM micrograph below of a film cured at 100°C for seconds shows the low temperature high speed sintering behavior of PChem’s nanoparticles.

Low Temperature (100 C) Sintered Film. 

Particle Size:

PChem’s as synthesized particles have a nominal average particle size in the range of 10-30 nm.

Although having a “nano” particle size is important, the nature of the surface capping agents and formulation additives used in making the ink usually determine the ultimate residence times and temperatures that will be required to sinter a nanoparticle ink film.