The Industrial and Commercial Applications of Specialty Dispersions

Specialty dispersions refer to nanoparticle semiconductors composed of organic or inorganic compounds dispersed in solvents of varying viscosity. They are developed for application in printed electronic methods, and are instrumental for the accurate preparation of multiple stacks of electronically-enabled nanostructure layers. This technology has improved the cost-efficiency of multiple electronic manufacturing processes and has supported the growing mechanical functionalities of various electronic devices.

Avantama have developed a broad range of cutting-edge specialty dispersions suitable for each primary electronic printing method. This article will explore these applications in some more detail:

Spin Coating

Spin coating is an established technique used to coat substrate materials with thin films of specialty dispersions. The general practice of spin coating is to evenly treat a substrate material with a dispersion to a maximum thickness of a few μm, before rapidly spinning the substrate material at broadly ranging speeds of 500 – 12,000 rpm, to spread the dispersion via centrifugal force. This process creates nanostructured films with high degrees of uniformity.

This process is widely used in photolithographic processes for the determination of microcircuit patterns. It is also used to formulate dielectric layers for microcircuits applied in a broad range of electronic components.

Avantama supplies a range of specialty dispersions suitable for spin coating applications, including 12nm aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al:ZnO) particles dispersed in a solvent mixture of butanols. 

Slot Die

Slot die coating is a specialty dispersion deposition technique which distributes nanoparticles in a solvent onto a substrate by precise uniform metering at a tightly controlled rate. This process is gaining traction for the manufacture of solid-state lighting (SSL) and various organic electric components such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) – a burgeoning technology with improved energy efficiency and contrast ratios when implemented for display technology.

Avantama’s range of specialty dispersions for slot die processes features several custom solutions, including 7nm nickel oxide (Ni) particles suspended in an ethanol solvent.

Ink Jet

Ink jet printing is one of the most immediately recognizable nanocoating processes, utilizing similar processes to conventional printing procedures to apply nanoscale pigments to a substrate via nozzles. This process represents significant potential for the formation of various printed microelectronic components, as it is capable of accurately depositing the required amount of a specialty dispersion with minimal waste, thus improving manufacturing yields and throughput compared to processes such as spin coating.

Avantama’s broad range of specialty dispersions suitable for ink jet printing processes includes 7nm tin dioxide (SnO₂) particles dispersed in a mixture of butanols.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is perhaps the preferred commercial method for electronic printing due to its improved precision for thin and thick film deposition. This is in-line with display market trends for handheld digital devices with touchscreens, where the demand for increasingly narrow edge bezels of screens necessitates rigid, conductive materials of just micron thicknesses.

Avantama’s range of specialty dispersions includes select chemical solutions suitable for screen printing processes, including 12nm Al:ZnO particles dispersed in a solvent of a-terpineol.

Specialty Dispersions from Avantama

Avantama are experts in the formation of custom nanoparticles for emerging electronic components and are dedicated to pushing the letter of innovation and progress in microelectronics, displays, and various R&D fields.

We feature a robust range of products, and can manufacture custom dispersions to given specifications. If you have a solution in mind, we can accurately synthesize it for you. If you would like to know more about our specialty dispersions, please do not hesitate to get in contact.