Sintering of inkjet printed silver tracks with boiling salt water

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a simple two-step method to sinter inkjet printed silver tracks with boiling salt water. As the temperature during the sintering process stays at 110 degrees Celsius, the method is compatible with most polymer substrates. UV light is used to enhance adhesion between the printed silver layer and the substrate film to prevent delamination of silver tracks during salt water treatment. After 20 min immersion in boiling salt water, the printed silver lines exhibit electrical resistivity only two times higher than the bulk silver value as measured using a four wire resistance meter.