Analysis of The Cross Section of Inkjet-Printed Conductive Tracks on PET Films: A method to analyze the nano- and microstructure of inkjet-printed conductive tracks on polymer film substrates based on SEM analysis of cross sections prepared by ultramicrotomy

摘要

The development of internet of things devices, smart sensor systems or wearables necessitates new fabrication technologies. The challenge is to fulfil requirements such as flexibility, low-weight and low-cost. Inkjet printing of conductive microstructures on polymer films has become increasingly important for these applications in the last decade. This additive fabrication approach is potentially more ecofriendly than conventional processes but has still not reached wider implementation in industry. One of the potential reasons is the still insufficient reliability of printed components that must sustain electrical, thermal, mechanical and chemical stress. In order to optimize the fabrication process with regard to these requirements, the nano- and microstructure of printed patterns needs to be analyzed. In the present work, a method is outlined for the nano- and microstructure analysis of inkjet-printed conductive tracks on polymer substrates by means of scanning electron microscopy of cross sections prepared by ultramicrotomy.