Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/52—Electrically conductive inks
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
  • C08J7/04—Coating
  • C08J7/043—Improving the adhesiveness of the coatings per se, e.g. forming primers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
  • C08J7/04—Coating
  • C08J7/044—Forming conductive coatings; Forming coatings having anti-static properties
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
  • C08J7/04—Coating
  • C08J7/06—Coating with compositions not containing macromolecular substances
  • C08J7/065—Low-molecular-weight organic substances, e.g. absorption of additives in the surface of the article
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
  • C08J7/08—Heat treatment
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/02—Printing inks
  • C09D11/03—Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder
  • C09D11/033—Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the solvent
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/02—Printing inks
  • C09D11/03—Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder
  • C09D11/037—Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the pigment
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
  • C09D11/32—Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
  • C09D11/36—Inkjet printing inks based on non-aqueous solvents
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
  • H05K1/02—Details
  • H05K1/03—Use of materials for the substrate
  • H05K1/0393—Flexible materials
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
  • H05K1/02—Details
  • H05K1/09—Use of materials for the conductive, e.g. metallic pattern
  • H05K1/092—Dispersed materials, e.g. conductive pastes or inks
  • H05K1/097—Inks comprising nanoparticles and specially adapted for being sintered at low temperature
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
  • H05K3/10—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern
  • H05K3/12—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using thick film techniques, e.g. printing techniques to apply the conductive material or similar techniques for applying conductive paste or ink patterns
  • H05K3/1283—After-treatment of the printed patterns, e.g. sintering or curing methods
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2379/00—Characterised by the use of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming in the main chain of the macromolecule a linkage containing nitrogen with or without oxygen, or carbon only, not provided for in groups C08J2361/00 - C08J2377/00
  • C08J2379/04—Polycondensates having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings in the main chain; Polyhydrazides; Polyamide acids or similar polyimide precursors
  • C08J2379/08—Polyimides; Polyester-imides; Polyamide-imides; Polyamide acids or similar polyimide precursors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
  • H05K2201/01—Dielectrics
  • H05K2201/0137—Materials
  • H05K2201/0145—Polyester, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET], polyethylene naphthalate [PEN]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
  • H05K2201/01—Dielectrics
  • H05K2201/0137—Materials
  • H05K2201/0154—Polyimide
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
  • H05K2201/01—Dielectrics
  • H05K2201/0137—Materials
  • H05K2201/0158—Polyalkene or polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene [PE], polypropylene [PP]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
  • H05K2201/01—Dielectrics
  • H05K2201/0137—Materials
  • H05K2201/0162—Silicon containing polymer, e.g. silicone

Definitions

• This application relates to processes and compositions for preparing high conductivity copper films on substrates, especially for use in flexible circuits.
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• US 6,770,122 Copper formates coordinated with piperidine derivatives have been used as precursors for metallic copper (US 2014/0349017).
• US 2014/0349017 Copper formates coordinated with piperidine derivatives have been used as precursors for metallic copper (US 2014/0349017).
• a copper precursor composition comprising: a first copper complex comprising an imine or a first cyclic amine coordinated to a first copper precursor compound; and, a second copper complex comprising a primary amine or a second cyclic amine coordinated to a second copper precursor compound, the copper precursor composition thermally degradable at a temperature lower than a comparable composition comprising only the second copper complex under otherwise the same conditions to produce a metallic copper film having a resistivity of about 200 ⁇ -cm or less.
• a copper precursor composition comprising a copper complex comprising an imine coordinated to a copper precursor compound.
• a copper ink comprising a copper precursor composition as described above and a solvent.
• a substrate comprising a trace of the copper ink deposited on a surface of the substrate.
• a process for producing a metallic copper film comprising: depositing the copper ink on a surface of a substrate; and, sintering the ink to produce a metallic copper film.
• Fig. 1A depicts a graph showing resistivity ( ⁇ -cm) as a function of the weight fraction of 3ButPy to EtHex after heating to 170°C.
• Fig. 1 B depicts a graph showing resistivity ( ⁇ -cm) of copper films made from EtHex (black diamond) and a blend of 60% 3ButPy (white square) as a function of sintering temperature.
• Fig. 2 depicts a graph showing resistivity ( ⁇ -cm) of copper films made from various DiMetPip inks and sintered between 110°C and 150°C.
• Fig. 3A depicts a graph showing TGA of copper (II) formate coordinated to various amines.
• Fig. 3B depicts a graph showing DTGA of copper (II) formate coordinated to various amines.
• the copper precursor composition comprises a first copper complex comprising an imine or a first cyclic amine coordinated to a first copper precursor compound, and a second copper complex comprising a primary amine or a second cyclic amine coordinated to a second copper precursor compound.
• the first copper complex comprises: two cyclic amines, which may be the same or different, preferably the same; two imines, which may be the same or different, preferably the same; or, one cyclic amine and one imine.
• the second copper complex comprises: two primary amines, which may be the same or different, preferably the same; two cyclic amines, which may be the same or different, preferably the same; or, one primary amine and one cyclic amine.
• the first and second copper complexes are different complexes.
• the copper precursor composition comprises a copper complex comprising an imine coordinated to a copper precursor compound.
• Cyclic amines comprise a ring structure comprising one or more nitrogen atoms in the ring.
• the ring may contain, for example, 1 , 2 or 3 nitrogen atoms. At least one of the nitrogen atoms should be available for coordination to copper.
• the ring contains 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms, more preferably 1 nitrogen atom.
• the ring also contains at least one carbon atom, preferably 1 -7 carbon atoms.
• the ring may also contain one or more heteroatoms, for example O or S.
• the ring comprises only nitrogen and carbon atoms.
• the cyclic amine comprises a 4-membered ring, a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, a 7-membered ring or an 8-membered ring.
• 5-membered rings, 6-membered rings and 7-membered rings are especially preferred.
• 6-membered rings are most preferred.
• the cyclic amine may comprise one or more ring structures, where the ring structures are fused or unfused. At least one of the ring structures contains a nitrogen atom, whereas the other ring structures may or may not contain a nitrogen atom.
• the ring structures may be aromatic or non-aromatic.
• the rings may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents.
• Substituents may include, for example, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, carboxyl, substituted carboxyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl and substituted alkynyl.
• Substituted substituents may be substituted with one or substituents, which may be the same as those listed above.
• the substituents comprise alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl.
• Substituents on the rings are preferred in some embodiments because substituents on the rings may help the first copper complex be more compatible with the second copper complex.
• the substituents on the rings of the first copper complex preferably have similar solubility properties as the organic groups that form part of the primary amines or cyclic amines of the second copper complex. Compatibilzation of the first and second copper complexes may reduce a tendency for one or the other of the copper complexes to crystallize.
• the cyclic amine preferably comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and from 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms.
• the cyclic amine more preferably comprises from 4 to 20 carbon atoms.
• the cyclic amine more preferably comprises 1 nitrogen atom, which is in the ring structure and available for coordination to the copper of the first copper precursor compound.
• the ring structure in the cyclic amine comprises from 4 to 6 carbon atoms. Any substituents on the ring structure preferably each comprise from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
• the ring structures comprise from 1 to 3 substituents other than hydrogen.
• nitrogen-containing ring structures include unsubstituted or substituted aziridine, diazine, azetidine, dihydroazete, diazetidine, pyrrolidine, pyrrole, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, imidazole, pyrazoline, pyrazole, triazole, tetrazole, piperidine, pyridine, tetrahydropyran, pyran, piperazine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, morpholine, triazine, azepane, azepine, homopiperazine, diazepine, azocane, azocine and structural isomers thereof. Pyridine and piperidine are particularly preferred.
• substituents on the ring structures preferably include d- 8 alkyl groups, C 2 - 8 alkenyl groups and C 2 - 8 alkynyl groups, d- 8 alkyl groups are more preferred.
• d- 8 alkyl groups include, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, / ⁇ propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, ferf-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl and isomers thereof.
• alkyl-substituted pyridines and piperidines are alkyl-substituted pyridines and piperidines.
• One or more alkyl groups may be substituted on the pyridine or piperidine ring.
• the alkyl substituents are preferably d- 8 alkyl groups.
• Imines contain at least one nitrogen atom that coordinates to copper. Imines of Formula (I) are preferred:
• F ⁇ , R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and may be H, alkyl (e.g. d- 8 alkyl), alkenyl (e.g. C 2 -8 alkenyl), alkynyl (e.g. C 2 - 8 alkynyl), cycloalkyl (e.g. C 3 - 8 cycloalkyl), aryl (e.g. C 6 -i 4 aryl), alkaryl (e.g. C 7 - 20 alkaryl), aralkyl (e.g. C 7 - 20 aralkyl), OH, O-alkyl (e.g. 0-d- 8 alkyl), O-aralkyl (e.g.
• O-d- 20 aralkyl O-alkaryl (e.g. O-d- 20 alkaryl), C0 2 -alkyl (e.g. C0 2 -(d- 8 alkyl)), S0 2 -alkyl (e.g. S0 2 -(d- 8 alkyl)) or SO-alkyl (e.g. SO-(d- 8 alkyl)) or F ⁇ and R 2 taken together form a ring (e.g. a d-C 8 ring), with the proviso that at least one of R 1 ; R 2 and R 3 is not H.
• O-alkaryl e.g. O-d- 20 alkaryl
• C0 2 -alkyl e.g. C0 2 -(d- 8 alkyl)
• S0 2 -alkyl e.g. S0 2 -(d- 8 alkyl)
• SO-alkyl e.g. SO-(d- 8 alkyl)
• alkyl groups include, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, /- propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, ferf-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl and isomers thereof.
• Aryl groups include, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and anthracyl.
• Cycloalkyl groups include, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cycohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.
• Aralkyl groups include, for example (C 6 -i 4 aryl)(d_ 4 alkyl) x , where x is 1 -3.
• Alkaryl groups include, for example, (d- 4 alkyl) (C 6 -i 4 aryl).
• Cyclic imines are of particular note. Some examples of cyclic imines are unsubstituted and substituted azirine, azete and pyrroline. Primary amines of the formula R-NH 2 are preferred, where R is an organic group.
• R is preferably a C 3 -C 20 organic group, more preferably a C 6 -C 12 organic group.
• the organic group is preferably an unsubstituted alkyl group, an unsubstituted alkenyl group or an unsubstituted alkynyl group, more preferably an unsubstituted alkyl group.
• the unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups are preferably straight or branched chains.
• Some particular examples of primary amines include hexylamine, octylamine and ethylhexylamine.
• Copper precursor compounds comprise a copper ion, preferably a copper (II) ion, and one or more ligands coordinated to the copper ion.
• the one or more ligands may be any ligand which is removable from the copper ion by the action of heat.
• Suitable ligands for copper precursor compounds are known in the art.
• suitable ligands include organic or inorganic ligands that bind to the copper through an atom other than carbon such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and halogen. A combination comprising at least one of the foregoing can be used.
• Inorganic ligands include, for example, nitrate, carbonate, halide, perchlorate, hydroxide and tetrafluoroborate.
• Organic ligands include, for example, carboxylates, sulfonates and amides.
• the two ligands may be the same or different, preferably the same.
• the one or more ligands preferably comprise carboxylate anions, for example, formate, acetate, oxalate, propionate, butanoate, ethylhexanoate, neodecanoate, pentafluoropropionate, citrate, glycolate, benzoate, trifluoroacetate, phenylacetate, acetylacetonate and hexafluoroacetyl-acetonate groups, d- 12 alkanoates are particularly preferred. Formate is most preferred.
• the first and second copper precursor compounds may be the same or different, preferably the same.
• Copper complexes may be prepared by reacting cyclic amine, imine or primary amine, as the case may be, with the copper precursor compound.
• the copper precursor compound may comprise one or more coordinated leaving groups (e.g. water, ammonia and the like), which are displaced by the cyclic amine, imine or primary amine during the reaction.
• the reaction may be conducted in a solvent, preferably a solvent that facilitates the displacement of the leaving group while not out-competing the cyclic amine, imine or primary amine for coordination to the copper.
• solvents are well known in the art, for example acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and the like.
• the reaction may be performed at elevated temperatures to assist in the displacement of the leaving group.
• the amount of cyclic amine, imine or primary amine depends on the number of such molecules to be coordinated to the copper. Using two molar equivalents of cyclic amine, imine or primary amine with one molar equivalent of copper precursor compound permits coordination of two molecules of the cyclic amine, imine or primary amine to the copper.
• the amount of the first copper complex and second copper complex in a copper precursor composition may be adjusted by simple experimentation to determine the best ratio of one to the other depending on the nature of the first and second copper complexes.
• the amount (w/w) of the first copper complex with respect to the second copper complex may be in the range of about 1 -99% based on total weight of the first and second copper complexes, preferably about 5-95%, more preferably about 10-75%, or about 20-75%, or about 40-75%, or about 50-75%, or about 60-66%.
• the copper ink comprises a solvent in addition to the copper precursor composition.
• the copper precursor composition may comprise about 1 -99 wt% of the ink, based on weight of the ink.
• the copper precursor composition comprises about 5-95 wt%, or about 10-90 wt%, or about 20-80 wt% of the ink.
• the solvent generally makes up the balance of the ink after considering all other components including the copper precursor composition, any binders that are present and any other component. The balance may be, in some instances, about 1 -99 wt%, based on weight of the ink.
• the solvent preferably comprises about 5-95 wt%, or about 15-95 wt%, or about 20-75 wt%, or about 20-40 wt% of the ink.
• the solvent may comprise an aqueous medium, an organic medium or a mixture thereof.
• Aqueous media comprise water or water with one or more other ingredients dispersed therein.
• Organic media may comprise an organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents.
• the copper precursor composition is preferably dispersable, more preferably soluble, in the solvent.
• Organic solvents include, for example, alcohol-based solvents, diol-based solvents, ketone-based solvents, ester-based solvents, ether-based solvents, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon-based solvents, aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvents, cyano- containing hydrocarbon solvents, and other solvents.
• Alcohol-based solvents include, for example, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, 1 -butanol, isobutanol, 2-butanol, tertiary butanol, pentanol, isopentanol, 2- pentanol, neopentanol, tertiary pentanol, hexanol, 2-hexanol, heptanol, 2-heptanol, octanol, 2-ethylhexanol, 2-octanol, cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol, cycloheptanol, methylcyclopentanol, methylcyclohexanol, methylcycloheptanol, benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol monoacetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monobuty
• Diol-based solvents include, for example, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1 ,2- butanediol, 1 ,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, isoprene glycol (3-methyl-1 ,3-butanediol), 1 ,2-hexanediol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 3-methyl-1 ,5- pentanediol, 1 ,2-octanediol, octanediol (2-ethyl-1 ,3-hexanediol), 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1 ,3- propanediol, 2.5-dimethyl-2.5-hexanedioL 1 ,2-cyclohexanediol, 1 ,4-cyclo
• Ketone-based solvents include, for example, acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl butyl ketone, dipropyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methylcyclohexanone, and the like.
• Ester-based solvents include, for example, methylformate, ethyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, sec-butyl acetate, ferf-butyl acetate, amyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, ferf-amyl acetate, phenyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, isopropyl propionate, butyl propionate, isobutyl propionate, sec-butyl propionate, ferf-butyl propionate, amyl propionate, isoamyl propionate, ferf-amyl propionate, phenyl propionate, methyl 2-ethylhexanoate, ethyl 2- ethylhexanoate, propyl 2-ethylhex
• Ether-based solvents include, for example, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, morpholine, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, dibutyl ether, diethyl ether, dioxane, and the like.
• Aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon solvents include, for example, pentane, hexane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, dimethylcyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane, heptane, octane, decaline, solvent naphtha, and the like.
• Aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvents include, for example, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, trimethylbenzenes (e.g. mesitylene), diethylbenzene, cumene, isobutylbenzene, cymene, tetralin, chlorobenzene, benzyl ether, anisole, benzonitrile, propylbenzene, cumene, isobutylbenzene, indane, tetralin, durene, indane, and the like.
• benzene toluene
• ethylbenzene ethylbenzene
• xylene trimethylbenzenes (e.g. mesitylene)
• diethylbenzene cumene
• isobutylbenzene cymene
• tetralin chlorobenzene
• benzyl ether anisole, benz
• Cyano-containing hydrocarbon solvents include, for example, include 1 - cyanopropane, 1 -cyano butane, 1 -cyanohexane, cyanocyclohexane, cyanobenzene, 1 ,3- dicyanopropane, 1 ,4-dicyanobutane, 1 ,6-dicyanohexane, 1 ,4-dicyanocyclohexane, 1 ,4- dicyanobenzene, and the like.
• the solvent may be the same as the amines or imines used to form the copper complexes.
• the copper ink may also comprise a binder.
• a binder is any material that binds the ink together into a film and binds the ink to a surface on which the ink is deposited.
• the binder preferably comprises a polymeric material, especially an organic polymer.
• the amount of binder may be expressed in terms of the total mass of the copper in the copper precursor composition.
• the binder may be present in the ink in a range of about 2.5-55 wt% based on weight of the copper in the copper precursor composition.
• Weight of the copper in the copper precursor composition is the total weight of the copper without the other elements that comprise the precursor composition. More preferably, the binder is in a range of about 5-35 wt% based on weight of the copper in the copper precursor composition.
• the binder preferably comprises an organic polymeric binder, for example, ethyl cellulose, polypyrrolidone, epoxies, phenolic resins, phenol formaldehyde resins (e.g. NovolacTM, ResoleTM), acrylics, urethanes, silicones, styrene allyl alcohols, polyalkylene carbonates, polyvinyl acetals, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyolefins, fluoroplastics, fluoroelastomers, thermoplastic elastomers or any mixture thereof.
• organic polymeric binder for example, ethyl cellulose, polypyrrolidone, epoxies, phenolic resins, phenol formaldehyde resins (e.g. NovolacTM, ResoleTM), acrylics, urethanes, silicones, styrene allyl alcohols, polyalkylene carbonates, polyvinyl acetals, polyesters, poly
• the substrate may be any surface on to which the ink may be deposited, preferably any printable surface.
• Surfaces may comprise, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefin (e.g. silica-filled polyolefin (TeslinTM)), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polystyrene, polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (e.g. KaptonTM), silicone membranes, epoxy resin (e.g. glass-reinforced epoxy resin laminate), textiles (e.g. cellulosic textiles), paper, glass, metal, dielectric coatings, among others.
• Plastic substrates are preferred. Flexible substrates are preferred.
• Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate and FR-4 (glass- reinforced epoxy resin laminate) are preferred, especially polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and FR-4.
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is of particular note.
• Inks may be deposited on a substrate by any suitable method, for example screen printing, inkjet printing, flexography printing (e.g. stamps), gravure printing, off-set printing, airbrushing, aerosol printing, typesetting, spin coating, dip coating spray coating, roll coating, knife coating, bar coating, slit coating, brush coating or any other method. Printing methods are preferred.
• the ink may be dried or cured, for example by allowing the ink to dry in ambient conditions or heating the ink for an appropriately long period of time to evaporate the solvent.
• the inks of the present invention are particularly suited to inkjet, screen, roll-to-roll, flexography or gravure printing. The inks are well-suited for roll-to-roll printing as they require lower temperature and less time to sinter.
• the ink may be deposited, for example printed, onto a substrate to form a trace of the ink on the substrate. Drying and decomposing the trace to form conductive copper films may be accomplished by any suitable technique, where the techniques and conditions are guided by the type of substrate on which the ink traces are deposited. Heating the substrate dries and sinters the trace to form a conductive copper film. Sintering decomposes the copper precursor composition to form conductive copper nanoparticles. Heating is preferably performed at a temperature of about 150°C or less, or about 140°C or less, or about 135°C or less, or about 130°C or less, or about 125°C or less.
• Heating is preferably performed at a temperature of about 90°C or more, or about 100°C or more.
• the ink trace is preferably sintered for a time of about 30 min or less, or about 10 min or less, or about 5 min or less. There is a balance between temperature and time whereby sintering at lower temperature generally requires a longer time. Pressure may also be adjusted during sintering to alter the temperature and/or time required to form conductive copper films. The pressure is preferably about 3 atm or less, or about 2 atm or less. In one embodiment, no additional pressure is used.
• the type of heating apparatus also factors into the temperature and time required for sintering. Sintering may be performed with the substrate under an oxidizing atmosphere (e.g. air) or an inert atmosphere (e.g.
• an inert or a reducing atmosphere may be desired, or an oxygen depleted atmosphere having an oxygen content of preferably about 1000 ppm or less, more preferably about 500 ppm or less.
• Sintering conditions (time, temperature and pressure) required for inks of the present invention may be amenable to roll-to-roll printing, a feature that was previously not possible with the primary amine coordinated copper formate complexes due to relatively long sintering times. Further, sintering conditions may be amenable for printing on PET substrates, another feature that was previously not possible with the primary amine coordinated copper formate complexes. Copper precursor compositions of the present invention reduce the temperature at which the ink needs to be sintered to produce copper films of good conductivity (low resistivity) in a short period of time.
• a conductive copper film produced from the copper precursor composition preferably has a resistivity of about 150 ⁇ -cm or less, or about 100 ⁇ -cm or less, or even as low as 50 ⁇ -cm or less.
• Conductive copper films may have resistivity values at least as good as currently known inks, while being produced at lower sintering temperatures in less time.
• the substrate may be incorporated into an electronic device, for example electrical circuits, conductive bus bars (e.g. for photovoltaic cells), sensors, antennae (e.g. RFID antennae), touch sensors, thin film transistors and smart packaging (e.g. smart drug packaging).
• the substrates may be used as any conductive element, for example interconnectors.
• the copper precursor composition and inks produced therefrom enable miniaturization of such electronic devices.
• Copper (II) formate complexes are prepared by coordinating 2 molar equivalents of different amines with 1 molar equivalent of copper (II) formate.
• Bis(2-ethyl-1 -hexylamine) copper (II) formate (EtHex) was prepared by suspending 1.0 g of copper (II) formate dihydrate in 25 mL of acetonitrile and adding 1.74 mL of 2-ethyl-1 -hexylamine (a primary amine). The solution was immediately filtered to remove unreacted copper (II) formate and subsequently rotary evaporated to remove the acetonitrile.
• Bis(3-butylpyridine) copper (II) formate (3ButPy) was prepared in a similar manner as primary amine copper (II) formate complexes by suspending 1.0 g of copper (II) formate dihydrate in 25 mL of acetonitrile and adding 1.57 mL of 3-butylpyridine (a pyridine). The solution was immediately filtered to remove unreacted copper formate and subsequently rotary evaporated to remove the acetonitrile.
• Bis(3,5-dimethylpiperidine) copper (II) formate (DiMePip) was prepared by suspending 2 g of copper (II) formate dihydrate in 50 mL of acetonitrile and adding 2.809 mL of 3,5-dimethylpiperidine (a piperidine). The solution was immediately filtered to remove unreacted copper (II) formate and subsequently rotary evaporated to remove the acetonitrile.
• Inks of individual amine copper (II) formate complexes were prepared by mixing 1.00 g of the complex with 20%-40% (g/g) of anisole. The mixtures were homogenized by planetary mixing for 8 minutes.
• Copper precursor compositions comprising a primary amine copper (II) formate complex and either a pyridine copper (II) formate complex or a piperidine copper (II) formate complex were prepared by mixing a primary amine copper (II) formate complex with either a pyridine copper (II) formate complexes or a piperidine copper (II) formate complex.
• the mixtures varied from 25% to 80% (g/g) of the primary amine copper (II) formate complex.
• Inks of the copper precursor compositions were prepared by mixing 1.00 g of the copper precursor compositions, containing the desired mixture of primary amine copper (II) formate complex and pyridine or piperidine copper (II) formate complex, with 20%-40% (g/g) of anisole.
• the mixtures of the copper precursor compositions and anisole were homogenized by planetary mixing for 8 minutes.
• Example 3 Formation of copper films on substrates Inks prepared above were printed on KaptonTM substrates (polyimide) as squares with dimensions of 1 cm x 1 cm. For inks containing pyridine copper (II) formate complexes, the inks were heated through convection using a Kar-X-Reflow 306 LF convection oven in a nitrogen atmosphere with an oxygen concentration below 200 ppm, in which the squares were heated at a temperature of 135°C to 185°C for 5 minutes.
• KaptonTM substrates polyimide
• II pyridine copper
• inks containing piperidine copper (II) formate complexes were heated through conduction using a hotplate in a nitrogen glove box with an oxygen concentration below 1.0 ppm, where the squares were heated at a temperature of 110°C to 150°C for 5 minutes.
• inks containing only primary amine copper (II) formate complexes were heated by both methods. Heating the inks on the substrate resulted in the formation of copper films on the substrates.
• Inks comprising the alkylamine complexes, or mixtures of the alkylamine complexes and the pyridine or piperidine complexes, decomposed into films without significant cracking.
• inks comprising only tButPy and 3ButPy decomposed into films with significant cracking.
• electrical resistance measurements of films produced from inks comprising only tButPy and 3ButPy were unreliable. Decreasing the rate of heating and lowering the sintering temperatures did not improved the film quality for films produced from inks comprising only tButPy and 3ButPy.
• Inks containing a mixture of EtHex and 3ButPy combined the good film forming properties of EtHex and the low decomposition temperature of 3ButPy.
• Example 4 Resistivity of copper traces
• Resistivity values of the copper films were determined on the 1 cm x 1 cm squares using a four-point probe technique.
• a Keithley 220 programmable current source, a HP 3478A multimeter and a SP4 tip from Lucas Lab were used for the four-point probe measurement.
• the optimal weight fraction of 3ButPy (e.g. 3ButPy/[3ButPy+EtHex]) was determined at about 170°C to ensure that all blend variants were fully sintered.
• Fig. 1A shows that the resistivity of the films gradually decreases as the fraction of 3ButPy increases. A minimum resistivity of 6.5 ⁇ -cm was achieved with 60% 3ButPy.
• Fig. 1 B the resistivity values of pure EtHex complex (diamonds) are compared to a blend of 60% 3ButPy (squares) in order to assess their performance as a function of temperature.
• Table 1 illustrates substrate compatibility of EtHex and 3ButPy/EtHex inks based on resistivity values obtained by sintering 5 min at various temperatures.
• Table 2 illustrates the sheet resistances of copper films formed from the EtHex and 3ButPy/EtHex inks at various sintering temperatures.
• Table 3 illustrates sheet resistances (Q/D) for copper films produced from 3ButPy/EtHex inks of varying compositions when sintered at 170°C.
• Fig. 2 shows the resistivity of copper films made from various DiMePip-containing as a function of temperature.
• the films made from pure EtHex show the lowest resistivity of all the ink mixtures but do not conduct when sintered at 110°C.
• the films made from pure DiMetPip show higher resistivity, DiMetPip and mixtures containing more than 50% DiMetPip conduct when sintered at 110°C.
• mixtures of DiMetPip and EtHex form conductive copper films when sintered at lower temperatures than EtHex alone and form copper films with better conductivity than films formed from DiMetPip alone.
• Inks with EtHex alone must be sintered at higher temperatures in order to form conductive copper films and DiMetPip alone results in copper films of lower conductivity (higher resistivity).
• Example 5 Thermogravimetric analysis of amine copper (II) formate complexes
• Amine copper (II) formate complexes underwent thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) on a Netzsch TG 209 F1 Iris R.
• TGA thermogravimetry analysis
• the system was run with BOC HP argon (grade 5.3) gas and residual oxygen was trapped with a Supelco Big-Supelpure oxygen/water trap.
• Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B show the mass loss (TGA) and derivative of the mass loss (DTGA) of the complexes as they are heated to 400°C under Argon.
• the graphs show that the decomposition temperatures of the complexes decrease in the following order: primary alkylamine > secondary alkylamine > secondary cyclic alkylamine > tertiary cyclic aromatic amine.
• the fiutPy and 3ButPy complexes decompose between 90-130°C and 75-120°C, respectively, whereas the mass loss of Octyl and EtHex complexes spans 100-155°C.
• the pyridine complexes decompose within a narrower temperature range than the alkylamine complexes suggesting formation of smaller copper particles with a narrower size distribution, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the copper films.
• tButPy leads to copper particles having smaller diameters and narrower size distributions (26 ⁇ 6 nm) than particles made from EtHex (100 ⁇ 30 nm) and Octyl (240 ⁇ 60 nm).
• Pyridine and piperidine derivatives coordinated to copper (II) formate have lower decomposition temperatures than the alkylamine counterparts.
• the 3-butyl-pyridine ligand, coordinated to copper (II) formate, initiates decomposition near 80°C, 30°C lower than alkylamine-Cu(OOCH) 2 derivatives.
• the complex can be combined with bis(2- ethyl-1 -hexylamine) copper (II) formate to yield an ink with good film forming properties, short sintering times and low decomposition temperatures.
• Inks that combine pyridine- Cu(OOCH) 2 or piperidine-Cu(OOCH) 2 with alkylamine-Cu(OOCH) 2 generate copper films with high conductivity values (low resistivity values) while being produced in a lower temperature process.
• JPH 10279868 Canon KK. (1998) Ink Containing Organometallic Compound, Electrode, Electron-emitting Element and Production of Image Former. October 20, 1998. JP 2000-136333. Dainichiseika Color Chem. (2000) Colored Composition for Color Filter, Production of Color Filter, and Color Filter Produced Thereby. May 16, 2000.

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