Long-term sustainable aluminum precursor solution for highly conductive thin films on rigid and flexible substrates

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2014 Sep 10;6(17):15480-7. doi: 10.1021/am504134f. Epub 2014 Aug 25.

Abstract

To fabricate the highly conductive Al film via a solution process, AlH3 etherates have been a unique Al source despite their chemical instability in solvents and thus lack of long-term sustainability. Herein, we suggest an innovative solution process to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks in AlH3 etherates; AlH3 aminates powder, which can be stored in low temperature surroundings and redissolved in solvents whenever it is needed. Since refrigeration of AlH3 aminates, AlH3{N(CH3)3}, was very effective to prevent its chemical degradation, Al film with excellence and uniformity in electrical and mechanical properties was successfully fabricated even by the 180-day stored AlH3{N(CH3)3} dissolved in solvents. Moreover, the applicability of long-term stored AlH3{N(CH3)3} to electronic devices was experimentally demonstrated by the successful operation of LED lamps connected to the Al pattern films on glass, PET, and paper substrates.

Keywords: aluminum; conductive film; electrodes; precursor; solution process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't