Inkjet printing aided patterning of transparent metal mesh for wearable tactile and proximity sensors

Abstract

Fabrication of an electronic device involves patterning that contributes a substantial cost to it. Development of an unconventional and low-cost patterning technique is thus the goal-post. Herein, an exclusive, simple and large-scale patterning technique for metal mesh is established. The steps involve the formation of a crackle template on a transparent substrate by spray coating, inkjet printing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution followed by drying, metal deposition and template lift-off. An interdigitated electrode (IDE) with a finger-gap of ∼ 300 µm over a large electrode area (30 × 30 cm2) is accomplished with such a simple process. The patterning technique is further utilized to fabricate an IDE on flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate for the application of a transparent multifunctional capacitive sensor with proximity (up to 9 cm) and touch sensing ability.