Formulations
PRINTUP INSTITUTE offers expertise in the synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds and in the formulation of functional inks through its research and development services. Researchers mainly develop functional inks for printed electronics, whether conductive or semi-conductive, organic or nanoparticle-based.
IN PRINTED ELECTRONICS,
the precise chemical composition of these inks is a major challenge for researchers, who have to take into account numerous parameters such as viscosity, resistance to ageing, drying and ease of handling. Printed patterns are around 20 to 50 microns in size, with layer thicknesses ranging from 100 nm to 10 μm. Ink formulations must therefore have rheologies that are adapted to the different deposition technologies used.
IN SYNTHESIS,
the institute provides recognised expertise in the main areas of molecular, supramolecular, organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as in nanochemistry. The institute is able to create custom nano-objects with controlled size, composition and properties. Innovation in the field of ink formulation stems from the ability to design and produce the ingredients needed for these formulations.
IN FORMULATION,
the mixing of different raw materials to obtain a homogeneous and stable product with specific properties, the PRINTUP institute offers various types of work on request :
- On-demand formulation of conductive inks, including for electrochemical applications (electrolyte contact)
- Characterisation and qualification of the properties of existing inks
- Rheological characterisation: composition, viscosity, temperature, solvent, print thickness, adhesion test, cohesion test, surface energy, density, surface tension, density, particle size, etc.
- Modification of ink composition to improve toxicity, ….
The expertise of the Institute’s teams in molecular engineering and formulation enables the design of inks with high added-value functionalities.
PRINTUP INSTITUTE works with different types of conductive inks.
Based on organic products
- Electronically conductive polymers: polytiophene, polyaniline and polypropyrrole are the best known, etc. These polymers have semiconductive, electrochromic, thermoelectric and photocatalytic properties.
- Ion-conducting polymers: polyelectrolytes, polymers saturated with ionic solutions and solid polymer electrolytes, hydrogels.
- Electroactive fluorinated polymers: these have unique properties and provide new functionalities for printed electronics: high dielectric permittivity, strong mechanical properties and high deformation when subjected to an electric field.
Based on inorganic products :
- Metallic inks are obtained from metal nanoparticles. Each stabilised nanoparticle guarantees the ink’s stability over time. Carbon and nanocarbon inks (carbon nanotubes, graphene, C-Quantum dot.
- The formulation of these inks involves the use of more environmentally-friendly solvents (water, ethanol) and a lower quantity of metals than are typically found in commercial metallic inks. Researchers at the institute are also working on other types of high added-value inks, such as hydrogel inks integrated with transistors to create ultra-sensitive detection devices.
In short, the PRINTUP institute is a key player in the research and development of innovative functional inks for printed electronics.