The Substitution of Inkjet-printed Gold Nanoparticles for Electroplated Gold Films in Electronic Package

Over the past few decades, metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been of great interest due to their unique mesoscopic properties which distinguish them from those of bulk metals; such as lowered melting points, greater versatility that allows for more ease of processability, and tunable optical and mechanical properties. Due to these unique properties, potential opportunities are seen for applications that incorporate nanomaterials into optical and electronic devices. Specifically, the development of metallic NPs has gained significant interest within the electronics field and technological community as a whole. In this study, gold (Au) pads for surface finish in electronic package were developed by inkjet printing of Au NPs. The microstructures of inkjet-printed Au film were investigated by various thermal treatment conditions. The film showed the grain growth as well as bonding between NPs. The film became denser with pore elimination when NPs were sintered under gas flows of $N_2$-bubbled through formic acid ($FA/N_2$) and $N_2$, which resulted in improvement of electrical conductance. The resistivity of film was 4.79 ${\mu}{\Omega}$-cm, about twice of bulk value. From organic anlayses of FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and TGA, the amount of organic residue in the film was 0.43% which meant considerable removal of the solvent or organic capping molecules. The solder ball shear test was adopted for solderability and shear strength value was 820 gf (1 gf=9.81 mN) on average. This shear strength is good enough to substitute the inkjet-printed Au nanoparticulate film for electroplating in electronic package.