Large-scale fabrication of all-inkjet-printed resistors and WORM memories on flexible polymer films with high yield and stability

Abstract

We report on the development of inkjet-printed thin-film resistors using both organic and inorganic ink formulations. The passive devices were manufactured on flexible polymer substrates in ambient condition without the need for a cleanroom environment or inert atmosphere and at a maximum temperature of 150 °C. By using the same manufacturing process, the rapid electrical sintering (RES) method is demonstrated as effective for the fabrication of inkjet-printed, programmable Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) memories. Several hundred fully inkjet-printed resistors with different parameters were fabricated and subsequently morphologically and electrically characterized with the aim of obtaining statistically significant data. From a manufacturing process viewpoint, the procedures based on inkjet printing herein described are highly attractive: they do not require high temperatures, low pressures, special atmospheric conditions, and any masks, therefore providing a versatile low-cost approach to fabricate passive electrical components and simple circuits useful for the electronic industry. Printing can be carried out at a sufficiently low temperature to avoid damage to the fabric substrate and these devices can be used in a range of applications requiring flexible and conformal devices from embedded passive filters in PCBs to wearable electronics.

Perhydropolysilazane Charge‐Trap Layer in Solution‐Processed Organic and Oxide Memory Thin‐Film Transistors

“…Solution‐based manufacturing processes have been extensively studied due to their cost‐effectiveness and high throughput with high uniformity for the fabrication of printed electronic devices. [ 1–3 ] Therefore, several research groups have focused on solution‐processed organic and oxide semiconductors for both n ‐type and p ‐type thin‐film transistors and exhibit high potential for state‐of‐the‐art cost‐effective electronic devices with good electrical performances. [ 4–6 ] The memory element is an integral part of the electronic devices to store information and therefore the solution‐processed memory element will be instrumental for easy compatibility and simple integration into flexible and printed electronic devices.…”

Fully inkjet-printed flexible organic voltage inverters as a basic component in digital NOT gates

“…Similarly to 3D printers, inkjet printers can be used for manufacturing organic electronics on an industrial scale, but also in homes and workshops to prepare small electronic projects. Inkjet printing does not require high temperatures, a vacuum, lithography, or other costly subtractive methods 1 . Moreover, electronic elements can be produced on flexible, transparent foils 2 , 3 .…”

“…The important aspect of this devices is their thermal and time stability due to use of stable in air DPPDTT as the active OTFT layer and photooxidised P3HT. In most articles the authors present resistors made by conductors 1 , 7 , 24 . The high resistance is achieved by printing very small patterns or by incomplete sinterization of silver nanoparticles ink.…”

Printed zinc tin oxide diodes: from combustion synthesis to large-scale manufacturing

“…[5] However, to implement the visions of printed electronics, breakthroughs should be made in the design and printing of the most ubiquitous electronic components, like: transistors, capacitors, resistors, diodes, and memories. [6][7][8][9][10] Among them, metal oxide (MO) diodes play a crucial role for example in voltage regulation and surge protection that are required for wireless power transmission technology and in near-field communication when applied in flexible radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. [8] For this application, the diodes should have low turnon voltage, high cut-off frequency, and low leakage current.…”