Purpose. Nanoink printing (based on Ag, ZnO, Cu2ZnSnS4) using inkjet 2D and 3D printers is a promising replacement for modern technologies, such as lithography, for the simple and economical creation of electronics, sensors, and solar energy elements, since it does not require complex production steps and can be used at home.
Application area. Printing.
Advantages. The practical value of the development is the ability to create elements of electronics, sensors and solar energy using a conventional cheap inkjet printer with high printing speed and resolution in a normal atmosphere. To date, we have developed a technology and method for printing conductive tracks made of silver with low resistivity on photo paper and transparent polyester substrates, and created the first functional electronic devices using the developed technology.
Description. New possibilities for using conventional printers can be obtained by modifying the ink by replacing their standard components with nanocrystals of metallic (Ag) and semiconductor (ZnO, Cu2ZnSnS4) compounds. At the same time, the main requirement for creating nanoinks suitable for printing is the colloidal stability of nanocrystals in an environmentally friendly solvent (for example, water). This is achieved by placing organic molecules with a short carbon series length on the surface of nanocrystals (for example, the well-known and cheap vitamin C – ascorbic acid C6H8O6). A promising method for the synthesis of nanocrystals of such compounds and stabilized by given organic molecules is the chemical colloidal technique for creating nanomaterials of different phase and chemical compositions with a small range in size. Using this printing method, it is possible to create device structures on flexible and transparent substrates and even on ordinary photographic paper for wearable so-called electronics. These are the simplest electronic circuits that can be simply applied or glued to human skin.