Abstract: In an example of a surface treatment method, a three-dimensionally printed polyamide object is used. In the surface treatment method, the three-dimensionally printed polyamide object is first exposed to benzyl alcohol. In the surface treatment method, the three-dimensionally printed polyamide object is exposed to microwave irradiation after the benzyl alcohol exposure.

Abstract: An example of a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional (3D) printing includes a fusing agent and a surface treating agent. The fusing agent includes an electromagnetic radiation absorber and a first aqueous vehicle. The surface treating agent includes a second aqueous vehicle, a surfactant, and benzyl alcohol dissolved in the second aqueous vehicle.

Abstract: An example of a kit for three-dimensional (3D) printing includes a host metal and fumed flow additive aggregates to be mixed with the host metal. The fumed flow additive aggregates include flow additive nanoparticles and partially fused necks between at least some of the flow additive nanoparticles. Each of the flow additive nanoparticles consists of a metal containing compound that is reducible to an elemental metal in a reducing environment at a reducing temperature less than or equal to a sintering temperature of the host metal.

Abstract: A composition for the fabrication of reflective features using a direct-write tool is disclosed. The composition comprises metal nanoparticles having an average particle size less than 300 nm and which carry thereon a polymer for substantially preventing agglomeration of the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles exhibit a metal-polymer weight ratio of 100:1 to 10:1. The composition further includes a vehicle for forming a dispersion with the metal nanoparticles. A number of electronic devices comprising a reflective layer formed from the composition are also disclosed. One example case provides an electronic device having a reflective electrode. The reflective electrode comprises a percolation network of the metal nanoparticles embedded in a matrix of the polymer and having an average particle size of less than 300 nm, wherein the reflective electrode is reflective in the visible light range and does not diffract incident light.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle composition for the fabrication of conductive features. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously has a low viscosity permitting deposition of the composition by direct-write tools. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously also has a low conversion temperature, permitting its deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on polymeric substrates.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) providing a substrate comprising a passivation layer disposed on a silicon layer; (b) depositing a surface modifying material onto at least a portion of the passivation layer; (c) depositing a composition comprising at least one of metallic nanoparticles comprising a metal or a metal precursor to the metal onto at least a portion of the substrate; and (d) heating the composition such that it forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature in electrical contact with the silicon layer, wherein at least one of the composition or the surface modifying material etches a region of the passivation layer. When the surface modifying material is a UV-curable material, the process comprises the additional step of curing the UV-curable material.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) providing a substrate comprising a passivation layer disposed on a silicon layer; (b) depositing a surface modifying material onto at least a portion of the passivation layer; (c) depositing a composition comprising at least one of metallic nanoparticles comprising a metal or a metal precursor to the metal onto at least a portion of the substrate; and (d) heating the composition such that it forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature in electrical contact with the silicon layer, wherein at least one of the composition or the surface modifying material etches a region of the passivation layer. When the surface modifying material is a UV-curable material, the process comprises the additional step of curing the UV-curable material.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) providing a substrate comprising a passivation layer disposed on a silicon layer; (b) depositing a surface modifying material onto at least a portion of the passivation layer; (c) depositing a composition comprising at least one of metallic nanoparticles comprising a metal or a metal precursor to the metal onto at least a portion of the substrate; and (d) heating the composition such that it forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature in electrical contact with the silicon layer, wherein at least one of the composition or the surface modifying material etches a region of the passivation layer. When the surface modifying material is a UV-curable material, the process comprises the additional step of curing the UV-curable material.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle composition for the fabrication of conductive features. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously has a low viscosity permitting deposition of the composition by direct-write tools. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously also has a low conversion temperature, permitting its deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on polymeric substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxidized modified pigments and dispersions as well as methods of preparing them. Also disclosed are aqueous inkjet ink compositions comprising oxidized modified pigments.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. The process comprises a rapid mixing of a solution of at least about 0.1 mole of a metal compound that is capable of being reduced to a metal by a polyol with a heated solution of a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. The process comprises a rapid mixing of a solution of at least about 0.1 mole of a metal compound that is capable of being reduced to a metal by a polyol with a heated solution of a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are formed by combining a metal compound with a solution that comprises a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are precipitated by adding a nanoparticle-precipitating liquid in a sufficient amount to precipitate at least a substantial portion of the nanoparticles and of a protic solvent in a sufficient amount to improve the separation of the nanoparticles from the liquid phase.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) providing a substrate comprising a passivation layer disposed on a silicon layer; (b) depositing a surface modifying material onto at least a portion of the passivation layer; (c) depositing a composition comprising at least one of metallic nanoparticles comprising a metal or a metal precursor to the metal onto at least a portion of the substrate; and (d) heating the composition such that it forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature in electrical contact with the silicon layer, wherein at least one of the composition or the surface modifying material etches a region of the passivation layer. When the surface modifying material is a UV-curable material, the process comprises the additional step of curing the UV-curable material.

Abstract: Reflective electronic layers are provided for electronic devices, such as electroluminescent lamps, photovoltaic devices, and light emitting diodes. Processes for forming such reflective layers are also provided. The reflective layers comprise metallic particles that optionally are coated.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) depositing a composition onto at least a portion of a substrate, wherein the composition comprises metal-containing particles having a primary particle size of from about 10 nanometers to less than 500 nanometers and including a continuous or non-continuous coating of a ceramic material; and (b) heating the composition such that the precursor composition forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature. The metal-containing particles are preferably produced by flame spraying.

Abstract: Processes for forming polyimide coatings during the formation of printed electronic features. In various embodiments, the processes include the steps of: (a) applying a polyimide precursor ink comprising a polyimide precursor onto a substrate or to an electronic feature disposed thereon, preferably through a direct write printing process, e.g., ink-jet printing, (b) converting the polyimide precursor to a polyimide coating; and (c) optionally forming an electronic feature on the polyimide coating.

Abstract: Combinations of cationic underprinting fluids and anionic ink compositions that together achieve improved color quality and image stability in ink-jet printed images.