Abstract: A method of forming a feature by dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition from an ink-jet print head is disclosed. A jetting waveform is applied to piezoelectric actuator to dispense droplets of the metallic nanoparticle composition through nozzle opening. The droplets range in volume between 0.5 picoliter and 2.0 picoliter. The jetting waveform includes an intermediate contraction waveform portion, a final contraction waveform portion after the intermediate contraction waveform portion, and an expansion waveform portion after the final contraction waveform portion. During the intermediate contraction waveform portion, an applied voltage increases from an initial low voltage to an intermediate voltage and then is held at the intermediate voltage. During the final contraction waveform portion, the applied voltage increases from the intermediate voltage to maximum voltage and then is held at the maximum voltage.

Abstract: A method of forming a feature by dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition from an ink-jet print head is disclosed. A jetting waveform is applied to piezoelectric actuator to dispense droplets of the metallic nanoparticle composition through nozzle opening. The droplets range in volume between 0.5 picoliter and 2.0 picoliter. The jetting waveform includes an intermediate contraction waveform portion, a final contraction waveform portion after the intermediate contraction waveform portion, and an expansion waveform portion after the final contraction waveform portion. During the intermediate contraction waveform portion, an applied voltage increases from an initial low voltage to an intermediate voltage and then is held at the intermediate voltage. During the final contraction waveform portion, the applied voltage increases from the intermediate voltage to maximum voltage and then is held at the maximum voltage.

Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle composition includes metallic nanoparticles and a non-aqueous polar protic solvent. The non-aqueous polar protic solvent has two hydroxyl groups, a boiling point of at least 280° C. at 760 mm Hg, and a viscosity in a range of 45 cP to 65 cP at 20° C. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is present on the metallic nanoparticle surfaces. A concentration of metals in the metallic nanoparticle composition is in a range of 60 wt% to 90 wt% and a concentration, in aggregate, of solvents having a boiling point of less than 280° C. at 760 mm Hg in the metallic nanoparticle composition does not exceed 3 wt%.

Abstract: A composition for forming a contiguous conductive feature on a substrate includes silver nanoparticles, a titanium precursor compound, a first non-aqueous polar protic solvent, and a second non-aqueous polar protic solvent. The concentration of the titanium precursor compound in the composition is in a range of 2 vol % to 13 vol %. A method of forming a contiguous conductive feature on a substrate includes dispensing the composition on the substrate to form a contiguous precursor feature and sintering the contiguous precursor feature at a sintering temperature in a range of 300° C. to 500° C. to form the contiguous conductive feature. Example titanium precursor compounds are: titanium(IV) butoxide, titanium(IV) isopropoxide, titanium(IV) chloride, tetrakis(diethylamido)titanium(IV), and dimethyltitanocene.

Abstract: A conductive ink composition includes metallic nanoparticles, a first non-aqueous polar protic solvent, and a second non-aqueous polar protic solvent. The metallic nanoparticles can be silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles can have an average particle size in a range of 20 nm to 80 nm. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is present on the metallic nanoparticle surfaces. The first solvent has a boiling point of at least 110° C. and a viscosity of at least 10 cP at 25° C. The second solvent has a boiling point of at least 200° C. and a viscosity of at least 100 cP at 25° C. The conductive ink composition contains the metallic nanoparticles in a range of 10 wt %to 75 wt %. The concentration of the second solvent in the conductive ink composition is 11.0% by volume or greater.

Abstract: A method of decreasing a sheet resistance of a transparent conductor is disclosed. The method includes the following: forming a first transparent conductor layer on a substrate; dispensing a metallic nanoparticle composition on the first transparent conductor layer to form metallic nanoparticle features; and sintering at least the first transparent conductor layer and the metallic nanoparticle features. The first transparent conductor layer includes a crystalline metal oxide. The aperture ratio of the transparent conductor is in a range of 90% to 99%. A multilayer transparent conductor and a method of forming a multilayer transparent conductor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle composition includes copper nanoparticles, a first non-aqueous polar protic solvent (boiling point in a range of 180° C. to 250° C. and viscosity in a range of 10 cP to 100 cP at 25° C.), and a second non-aqueous polar protic solvent (boiling point in a range of 280° C. to 300° C. and a viscosity of at least 100 cP at 25° C.). The concentration of copper nanoparticles in the composition is in a range of 32 wt % to 55 wt %, and the concentration of the second non-aqueous polar protic solvent in the composition is in a range of 4 wt % to 10 wt %. There is polyvinylpyrrolidone present on the copper nanoparticles surfaces. The composition's viscosity is at least 250 cP at 25° C.