Influence of process parameters on the characteristics of electrohydrodynamic-printed UV-curing conductive lines on the fabric

Abstract

Abstract As a similar technology to the near-field static electrospinning, the emerging electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology with digital printing process and compatibility of viscous particle-blended inks is one of the simplest methods of fabricating multifunctional electronic textiles. With increasing demands for textile-based conductive lines with controllable width and excellent electrical performance, it is of great importance to know the influence of key process parameters on the morphology and electrical properties of EHD-printed UV-curing conductive lines on the fabric. This work will systematically explore the effect of the EHD printing process parameters (i.e. applied voltage, direct-writing height, flow rate and moving velocity of the substrate) on the morphology and electrical performance of the EHD-printed textile-based conductive lines, especially focus on the diffusion and penetration of inks on the rough and porous fabric. The UV-curing nano-silver ink with low temperature and fast curing features was selected, and the line width and electrical resistance of printed lines under different process parameters were observed and measured. The results showed that, unlike previous results about EHD printing on smooth and impermeable substrates, the ink diffusion related to fabric textures had a greater effect on the fabric-based conductive line width than the applied voltage and direct-writing height in the case of a stable jet. Meanwhile, the relationship between the line width and the flow rate met the equation of d = 407.28 × Q 1 2 , and the minimum volume on fabric per millimeter was 0.67 μl to form continuous line with low electrical resistance. Additionally, the higher substrate moving velocity resulted in a smaller line width, while it deteriorated the thickness uniformity and electrical property of printed lines. Generally, due to the effect of surface structure of the fabric on the spreading and penetrating behavior of inks, the flow rate and the substrate moving velocity are two significant parameters ensuring the electrical property of printed lines. It is believed that these findings will provide some guides for applying EHD printing technology into flexible electronics on the woven fabric.