Fabrication of conformal array patch antenna using silver nanoink printing and flash light sintering

The sintering process constitutes an important part of the conductive-pattern inkjet printing process, as it directly affects the conductivity of the conductive pattern. Flash sintering has significant advantages such as lower processing temperature and higher sintering efficiency than other existing processes. Multiple flash sintering process experiments were performed to solve the problems of low conductivity of the sample caused by unsuitable concentrations of nano-silver ink and flash sintering process parameters. The relationship model between the nano-silver ink parameters and the flash sintering process parameters was established. The sintering neck state of the nanoparticles under different sintering parameters was observed by scanning electron microscope, which revealed the flash sintering mechanism of the nano-silver. A non-contact sintering effect monitoring method and a sintering process optimization method are also proposed. A microstrip array antenna was fabricated based on this method. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are proved by simulation and experimentation of the antenna pattern.