Leire SANCHEZ-DUENAS
PhD Student and Researcher at Surface Chemistry and Nanotechnology Unit | TEKNIKER
Entity:
TEKNIKER / University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)Country:
SpainSpeech by Leire Sanchez-Duenas
Theme: Sustainable conductive polylactic acid ink for digital printing
| Leire Sanchez-Duenas is graduated in Physics and Electronic Engineering by the University of the Basque Country [UPV/EHU] (Spain). She developed her interuniversity master studies on New Materials at the UPV/EHU and the University of Cantabria (Spain).
In 2020 she started her research experience on Printed Electronics at TEKNIKER (Spain). Since 2022, she has been developing her PhD research in the development of sustainable inks for Printed Electronics, in both TEKNIKER and the University of the Basque Country. |
Abstract
| In the recent decades, electronic waste has become a problem, due to the increase of electronic demand and the programmed obsolescence. This constitutes an environmental concern leading to the need of developing new sustainable systems. Sustainability could be ensured by reducing the used materials or by using bio-based or biodegradable materials. Printed electronics represent a good opportunity to achieve this objective, by developing new sustainable inks. Printed electronics inks are formulated using four main group materials: the functional material, responsible of the ink electrical properties; the binder and the solvent, which carry the functional material; and some additives to control specific properties. A proper composition selection is needed to ensure sustainability and functionality. Electrical conductivity is a critical parameter for printed electronics. Conductivity is commonly achieved by using precious metals (silver, gold, etc.) as the functional material, exposing conductivities up to 107 S/m. Nevertheless, for specific applications, lower conductivities can be considered and other sustainable materials presenting electrical conductivity, should be considered, such as biobased carbon particles. These, in combination with a biodegradable binder, and an ecofriendly solvent, are a good choice for developing greener electronics.
For that reason, TEKNIKER has been working on the development of a new sustainable conductive carbon ink, using polylactic acid (PLA, a biodegradable polymer), as the binder. The obtained ink is suitable for digital printing, obtaining conductivities about 103 S/m, which are suitable for specific applications. The obtained conductivity value of the ink is comparable to high conductive carbon inks available on the market. |