(696d) Versatile Conductive Patterning Using Polyelectrolytes

Future microelectronic devices will be created on flexible substrates with inexpensive conductive materials and high pattern selectivity. We demonstrate novel versatile processes for creating selective conductive patterns on various substrates by utilizing polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings and microcontact printing (µCP) and electroless deposition. Optical microscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements, ellipsometry, electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were used to analyze the selectivity and structure of the deposited metal (e.g., copper, nickel, and gold) that were created by different methods of patterning palladium catalysts on PEM surfaces. The directed self assembly of the catalyst and direct catalyst stamping were compared. In addition, substituting carbon nanoparticles (i.e., graphite nanoplatelets) for metals will be used to create completely organic conductive pattern systems. The conductivity of these different systems will be presented. Nanoindentation will be used to measure the adhesion properties of the nanocomposites.