Inkjet Printing of Low-Temperature Cured Silver Patterns by Using AgNO3/1-Dimethylamino-2-propanol Inks on Polymer Substrates

1-Dimethylamino-2-propanol (DP) was added to silver nitrate to fabricate silver conductive lines by inkjet printing at low sintering temperatures on flexible PET substrates. Using an optimal ratio of a mixed solvent (ethanol and ethylene glycol), the morphology of the pattern surface and the formation of coffee-rings could be controlled. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the AgNO3/DP inks were converted to silver completely at low temperatures. Using the AgNO3/DP inks, continuous and smooth silver conductive lines with a resistivity of 1.37 +/- 0.44 x 10(-5) Q cm were fabricated at 100 degrees C by an inkjet printing system. This resistivity was close to the resistivity of bulk silver.