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BOSTON, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Conductive inks are a long-established technology, with silver flake-based inks used extensively in multiple industries, including solar panels and glucose test strips. However, technology rarely stands still, and there is extensive innovation within the conductive ink space. Particle-free inks are an especially promising example with multiple advantages and applications.
Figure 1: A transparent metal salt solution is transformed into a metal by a chemical reaction, enabling smooth and thin metal layers to be printed. Image sources: Left - Tollens test, WikiCommons. Right – flexible printed electronics, iStock (PRNewsfoto/IDTechEx)
In a particle-free ink, a solvated metal salt is reduced in-situ to produce a metal. In complete contrast to more conventional conductive inks, this means that the uncured particle-free ink is often transparent. The chemical reaction is induced by heat, light or plasma, and produces a smooth conductive metal layer.