High-performance printed electrode with rapid fabrication based on UV and IPL light processes without thermal treatment

We developed flexible and ultraviolet (UV)-curable electrodes with improved electrical conductivity using two light processes. Existing microparticle electrodes have poor durability. In this study, we improved electrode durability by facilitating UV light transmission using nanosilver particles and increased electrical conductivity using the photonic sintering process as a posttreatment process. The formulation of the UV-curable nanosilver paste developed this way had no problem in the cross-cut tape test and showed excellent pencil hardness (> 3H). Furthermore, the electrical resistivity was 2.76 x 10-5 omega.cm, and the resistance change rate was < 1 % even after 50,000 times of repetitive tests with a 3-mm radius of curvature. When twelve electrode patterns with LED installation and bent were manufactured, we confirmed that there was no change in brightness. Finally, as polyethylene terephtalate, a low-temperature substrate, was not damaged even after the process was completed, the paste and process showed sufficient performance even in the low-temperature process.

Automated summary

We developed flexible and UV-curable electrodes with improved electrical conductivity by using nanosilver particles and the photonic sintering process. The electrodes showed excellent durability, pencil hardness, and electrical resistivity. Even after repetitive tests and bending, the electrodes maintained brightness and the low-temperature substrate remained undamaged.