Piezoelectric inkjet printing and polymer ink

Abstract

In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyaniline (PANi) were used as representative polymers to adjust variable inkjet process parameters. The results demonstrate that polymer ink and jetting process have to meet certain conditions in terms of concentration, viscosity, surface tension, and velocity. Well defined micro-patterned polymer structures were obtained in the following processing conditions: PCL 15 g/dL in DMAc, PANI 1 g/dL in DMSO on O2 plasma treated PI films or glass substrates, 3~20 cps, 25~45 N/m, 6~12 m/s. The topology of printed polymer patterns was characterized by SEM and a 3D surface profiler (Nano surface profiler NV-P2020, Nano System, Korea). Overall results imply that polymer inkjet printing hold great promise but more systematic studies are required to explore its possibility and limitations.