A new silver-based precursor as ink for soft printing techniques

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Abstract

A new, easily obtainable silver-pyrrolidone complex that is suitable for printing applications was synthesized by the reaction of silver nitrate and 2-pyrrolidone (Pyl) at room temperature. According to single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies, the product [Ag(Pyl) 2]NO 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) [a = 5.358(1) Å, b = 15.217(3) Å, c = 14.986(3) Å, β = 99.296(6)°]. Highly concentrated solutions of the complex can be obtained in an ethanol/water mixture, thereby allowing for the manufacture of thin films by means of dip coating. Subsequent UV irradiation and moderate-temperature treatment yielded compact films of elemental silver with thicknesses of about 100 nm and sheet resistances down to 6.5. Furthermore, microcontact printing (μcp) and embossing of [Ag(Pyl) 2]NO 3 were performed, also followed by UV treatment. By means of the photoreduction of the complex and subsequent moderate-thermal treatment, defined structures of elemental silver lines were obtained. We present an easily obtainable silver-based precursor suitable for printing applications. The simple reaction of silver nitrate and 2-pyrrolidone (Pyl) yields a stable [Ag(Pyl) 2]NO 3 complex, the crystal structure of which was solved. Highly concentrated solutions can be obtained in ethanol/water, thereby allowing for manufacture of thin films through coating or printing techniques.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)878-883
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean journal of inorganic chemistry
Volume2012
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Patterning, Photoreduction, Pyrrolidone, Silver, Thin films

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