Abstract
We present fast sintering for silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) and flake layers printed using roll-to-roll (R2R) gravure printing. An infrared (IR) sintering module was applied to an R2R system to shorten the sintering duration of an R2R gravure-printed Ag layer. IR sintering of the conductive layer was improved by optimising the process condition. After printing of the Ag NP and Ag flake layers, additional IR sintering was performed in the R2R system. The lowest sheet resistance obtained in the Ag NP layer was 0.294 Ω/□, the distance between the substrate and lamp was 50-mm long, the IR lamp power was 500 W, and the sintering time was 5.4 s. The fastest sintering of 0.34 Ω/□ was achieved with 50-mm distance, 1,000-W IR lamp power, and 1.08-s sintering time. In the Ag flake layer, the lowest sheet resistance obtained was 0.288 Ω/□ with a 20-mm distance, 1,000-W IR lamp power, and 10.8-s sintering time. Meanwhile, the fastest sintering was obtained with a 3.83 Ω/□ sheet resistance, 20-mm distance, 1000-W IR lamp, and 1.08-s sintering time. Thus, the IR sintering module can easily be employed in an R2R system to obtain excellent layer sheet resistance.
Highlights
We present fast sintering for silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) and flake layers printed using roll-to-roll (R2R) gravure printing
Whereas the Ag flake layer is sintered in proportion to the main effects, the Ag NP layer is already entirely sintered at the low IR lamp power and middle distance condition owing to its high surface-volume ratio
Fast and effective IR sintering has been performed in a large-area R2R gravure printing process
Summary
The ANOVA of the sheet resistance versus distance (A), power (B), and sintering time (C) for the Ag NP and Ag flake layers was performed. The Ag flake layer shows a large effect on the distance (A), similar to the NP case; it presents a similar main effect on the IR lamp power (B) and sintering time (C). Whereas the Ag flake layer is sintered in proportion to the main effects, the Ag NP layer is already entirely sintered at the low IR lamp power and middle distance condition owing to its high surface-volume ratio. Microscope images of the gravure printed layer of (a–d) Ag NP and (e–h) Ag flake. (a,e) Initially dried Ag layers were sintered under the following conditions: distance, IR lamp power, and sintering time of (b,f) 70 mm, 1,000 W, and 10.8 s, respectively; (c,g) 50 mm, 1,000 W, and 10.8 s, respectively; and (d,f) 20 mm, 1,000 W, and 10.8 s respectively
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
