Microelectrode fabrication by laser direct curing of tiny nanoparticle self-generated from organometallic ink.

In this paper, we present a new laser direct patterning method that selectively cures nanoparticles self-generated from organometallic ink by proper thermal decomposition. This approach has several advantages in the curing rate, resolution and pattern quality compared with the conventional nanoparticle ink based direct laser curing method. It was found that a laser wavelength which is more weakly absorbed by the nanoparticles could produce a more stable and homogeneous curing condition. Finally, arbitrary shaped silver electrodes with narrow width and uniform profile could be achieved on a polymer substrate at a high curing rate of 25 mm/s. This process can be applied for flexible electronics fabrications on heat sensitive polymer substrates.