Pen Plotter as a Low‐Cost Platform for Rapid Device Prototyping with Solution‐Processable Nanomaterials

Abstract

The use of inexpensive benchtop plotters in combination with refillable writing pens and markers as a powerful route to print nanomaterial‐based inks on paper substrates is studied. It is proved that this approach is very robust, it can be used to print inks of many different solution‐processable nanomaterials, and is very precise, allowing pattern features with pitch separation as narrow as 80 μm. The general character of this printing platform by printing van der Waals materials, organic semiconductors, hybrid perovskites and colloidal nanoparticles with a broad range of properties (from insulators to superconductors) is illustrated. The system is used to easily create several example applications such as an all‐printed, paper‐supported photodetector. This printing platform can be very helpful for research groups with a wealth of expertise in synthesis of solution‐processable nanomaterials but that lack the infrastructure, resources, and expertise to perform traditional inkjet printing for fast device prototyping.

Solution-Processable and Eco-Friendly Functionalization of Conductive Silver Nanoparticles Inks for Printable Electronics

“…Functional systems are achieved through the design of various patterns aiming to achieve electrical current conduction or the activation of various physico-chemical processes, such as those involved in energy conversion, harvesting, or storage [7][8][9]. The implementation of this technology can be achieved using affordable and multifunctional commercial writing tools, such as a fountain pen, a ballpoint pen, or a marker pen [10,11]. Ultimately, the synthesis of such liquid compounds aims at their implementation in ink-jet printing, which requires that the inks are subject to very strict conditions regarding their viscosity, wettability, and solubility [2].…”