Effect of PVP(polyvinylpyrrolidone) on the Ag nano ink property for reverse offset printing

Abstract

Among the various roll-to-roll printing technologies such as gravure, gravure-offset, and reverse offset printing, reverse offset printing has the advantage of fine patterning, with less than 5 μm line width. However, it involves complex processes, consisting of 1) the coating process, 2) the off process, 3) the patterning process, and 4) the set process of the ink. Each process demands various ink properties, including viscosity, surface tension, stickiness, and adhesion with substrate or cliché; these properties are critical factors for the printing quality of fine patterning. In this study, Ag nano ink was developed for reverse offset printing and the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP), used as a capping agent of Ag nano particles, on the printing quality was investigated. Ag nano particles with a diameter of ~60 nm were synthesized using the conventional polyol synthesis process. Ethanol and ethylene glycol monopropyl ether(EGPE) were used together as the main solvent in order to control the drying and absorption of the solvents during the printing process. The rheological behavior, especially ink adhesion and stickiness, was controlled with washing processes that have an effect on the offset process and that played a critical role in the fine patterning. The electrical and thermal behaviors were analyzed according to the content of PVP in the Ag ink. Finally, an Ag mesh pattern with a line width of 10 μm was printed using reverse offset printing; this printing showed an electrical resistivity of 36 μΩ·cm after sintering at 200°C.