Abstract
Metal–organic decomposition (MOD) precursor inks are emerging as the new route to low-temperature deposition of highly conductive metals, owing to the tunability of their decomposition. New methods of printing are being investigated to help negate the progressive issues of the electronics industry, not least the movement toward low-cost polymers and paper substrates. Informed precursor design is crucial if achieving materials capable of this is possible. In this work, the liquid MOD precursors, dimethylethylamine alane (DMEAA) and trimethylamine alane (TEAA), have been used to deposit a highly conductive aluminum (Al) metal with resistivities in the range of 4.10 × 10–5 to 5.32 × 10–7 Ω m (mean electrical resistivity of 8 × 10–6 Ω m, approximately 300 times more resistive than bulk Al metal), without the need for an additional solvent, at low temperatures (100 and 120 °C), on a range of substrates including glass, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, and paper. Conductive coatings have been analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and resistivity measurements; as a proof of concept, Al deposited on paper has been used in an electrical circuit. Results indicate that DMEAA is a better precursor, producing more conductive films, which is explained by its lower decomposition temperature and higher Al weight loading, indicating potential for significant industrial application.
Highlights
As the world’s technological demands increase, there is a push for device fabrication to become more material, energy and time efficient
We report the use of these liquid amine-stabilized alane metal−organic decomposition (MOD) inks to deposit a highly conductive Al metal (4.10 × 10−5 to 5.32 × 10−7 Ω m), without the need for any additives or catalysts at low temperatures (100, 120 °C), on a range of substrates including glass, PI, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and paper
The patterning of molten metals is incompatible with affordable flexible substrates that are highly desired in the printing of electronic materials in the present day
Summary
As the world’s technological demands increase, there is a push for device fabrication to become more material, energy and time efficient. We report the use of these liquid amine-stabilized alane MOD inks to deposit a highly conductive Al metal (4.10 × 10−5 to 5.32 × 10−7 Ω m), without the need for any additives or catalysts at low temperatures (100, 120 °C), on a range of substrates including glass, PI, PET, and paper.
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