Aerosol jet printing involves ink deposition by aerodynamically focusing an atomized stream onto a receiver substrate . These production scale print engines are capable of depositing materials with goniometric precision in three dimensions, and thereby, facilitating the building of functional devices with 3D structure and function. We will present results directed toward adapting modified metal oxide sol-gel compositions, particularly PZT and YSZ compositions, for the fabrication of micron thick crack-free metal oxide films. Whereas traditional ceramic fabrication protocols call for high temperature sintering processes, we have target formulated optimized sol-gel compositions specifically for photonic sintering. We have deposited PZT and YSZ dispersed nanopowders with organic vehicles using aerosol jet printing and subsequent photonic curing. These metal oxide films, however, exhibit wide run-to-run variability, as well as, unwanted cracking and functional defects. High pigment and vehicle resin solid loading requirements in these dispersion formulae were found to be one primary cause. To overcome these limitations, we have turned to a sol-gel route for metal oxide film fabrication. We have fabricated one micron thick, sintered and crack free, PZT films using optimized formulations with minimal organic vehicle contamination. Results will be offered with PZT and YSE systems as part of our NSF-PFI supported research program to enable academic and industry partners with novel material compositions to translate their technologies to the marketplace using the aerosol jet fabrication and photonic sintering tools.

Synthesis, formulation, and deposition of metal oxide sol-gel compositions using aerosol jet printing

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.