Conductive UV-Cured Acrylic Inks for Resistor Fabrication: Models for their Electrical Properties

We report the preparation of acrylic inks for specific electrical applications, such as resistors, based on a UV-cured resin (PEGDA), where an in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles is performed. The conversion, gel content and morphology of the nanoparticles, with a specific interest about the size distribution and electrical conductivity at room temperature, are considered. Aging and electromigration are evaluated to confirm the stability of the samples. A correlation between the morphological properties and the electrical ones is given, in particular developing the universal percolation theory and an extension of the Vegard law for composites. Interesting conclusions are drawn based on the application of the models.