Printing of liquid metal by electrically modulating of interface tension in liquid environment

Abstract

In recent years, gallium-based liquid metal has emerged as a prominent research material in the realm of flexible electronics, owing to its exceptional electrical conductivity and deformability. The crux of developing flexible electronic devices using liquid metal as a conductive material lies in the patterning of the liquid metal. Inkjet printing technology possesses the capability to efficiently craft functional patterns by printing any inkable material. However, due to the facile oxidation of the gallium-based liquid metal surface in ambient air, leading to the formation of oxide films and the presence of high surface tension, conventional inkjet printing techniques are incapable of directly rendering liquid metal prints. This manuscript introduces a refined and remarkably efficient approach to inkjet printing utilizing the liquid metal. By deftly adjusting the interfacial tension of the liquid metal at the nozzle with ultra-low potentials, falling within the 2-V range, the achievement of on-demand, micron-scale liquid metal microdroplet ejection printing surpassing 3 kHz is brought to fruition. This article delves into unraveling the mechanisms of potential modulation on the interfacial tension of the liquid metal at the nozzle, as well as the fundamental theories pertaining to the formation and migration of liquid metal microdroplets. These insights establish a theoretical and technical foundation for the application of liquid metals in the field of electronic printing.