Enhanced adhesion mechanisms between printed nano-silver electrodes and underlying polymer layers

We have characterized mechanisms to improve the adhesion between printed electrodes prepared from silver nanoparticle inks and underlying polymer layers. Adhesion strength was significantly improved by sintering the inks above the glass transition temperature of the polymer underlayers, whereby enhanced adhesion was realized through interfacial fusion between the silver electrode layer and the underlying polymer layer. The surface energy of the underlayer was found to be an important factor in the improvement of adhesive strength, in that larger and thicker interfused regions between layers were observed for underlayers that had higher surface energies.