Synthesis of Nano-Structured Metal-Oxides and Deposition via Ink-Jet Printing on Microhotplate Substrates

Ink-jet printing was used to deposit metal-oxide nanoparticle suspensions onto microhotplate platforms (Microhotplates are miniaturized devices which include an integrated heater and electrodes with a spacing of 150 mu m). Hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis methods were used to create various metal-oxide nanoparticles with particle sizes below 50 nm. Nano-structured materials, sometimes referred to as hierarchical structures, were also produced using hydrothermal synthesis techniques. The oxide nanoparticles were made into aqueous suspensions for deposition via an ink-jet printer. The liquid components of the suspension were formulated to control the rheological properties and drying rate of the suspension. The microstructure of the dried metal-oxide nanoparticle film was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and showed that the resulting film was agglomerate free. Baseline resistance measurements as a function of temperature for three tin dioxide (SnO2) nanoparticle films on microhotplate substrates are also presented.