Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
07:42
Inkjet Printing All Inorganic Halide Perovskite Inks for Photovoltaic Applications
Published on: January 22, 2019
A Micron-Scale K2V6O16·1.5H2O-Based Aqueous Ink for Inkjet-Printed Large-Area Multicolor Electrochromic Displays
Hang Zhou1, Xiaodan Guo1, Zhijie Zheng1
1National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, and School of Nanoscience and Materials Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
Small Methods
|August 3, 2026
Summary
We developed a green, surfactant-free inkjet ink using microscale particles for uniform electrochromic films. This overcomes the coffee-ring effect, enabling large-scale device manufacturing with enhanced material options.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Inkjet printing enables high-throughput manufacturing of functional films for optoelectronics.
- The coffee-ring effect and reliance on nanoscale particles limit current printable ink technologies.
- Developing inks with larger particles and improved uniformity is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a green, aqueous inkjet ink formulation for uniform deposition of microscale particles.
- To overcome the coffee-ring effect in inkjet printing of functional films.
- To demonstrate the potential for large-area, patterned electrochromic devices using the developed ink.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a green aqueous ink using microscale K2V6O16·1.5H2O (KVO) and a water/1,2-propylene glycol (1,2-PG) cosolvent system.
- Optimization of ink rheological properties for stable inkjet ejection of micron-sized particles.
- Utilizing 1,2-PG to control surface tension and inhibit the coffee-ring effect, enabling uniform deposition.
Main Results:
- The optimized ink demonstrated excellent rheological properties for stable ejection of micron-sized KVO particles.
- Effective inhibition of the coffee-ring effect was achieved using 1,2-PG, allowing uniform deposition without surfactants.
- A continuously patterned electrochromic film with reversible multicolor transitions and high cycling stability was directly printed.
- A large-scale (21.0 × 29.7 cm2) electrochromic device with uniform color changes was successfully assembled.
Conclusions:
- The developed KVO ink formulation provides a green, surfactant-free alternative for inkjet printing electrochromic films.
- Synergistic control of Marangoni flow and viscosity enables uniform printing of large-sized functional particles.
- This approach expands the material scope and manufacturing possibilities for inkjet-printed electrochromic devices.
