Development of UV-Curable Nanoalumina Ceramic Ink and Its Application in Inkjet-Printed Multilayer Ceramic-Metal Substrates

The conventional fabrication of multilayer ceramic-metal substrates, constrained by high-cost molding equipment and intricate manufacturing processes, faces limitations in high-frequency electronic applications. To address this challenge, this study proposes an innovative approach utilizing UV-curable nanoalumina ceramic ink integrated with inkjet printing technology. Through systematic screening of dispersants (oleic acid, stearic acid, BYK-111, and Xinnuo LD 1129), it was demonstrated that the polymeric dispersant Xinnuo LD 1129 significantly enhances colloidal stability via synergistic steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion mechanisms. The optimized ink exhibited a viscosity of 14.5 mPa·s (at 60 s–1 shear rate), surface tension of 33.7 mN/m, and inverse Ohnesorge number Z = 2.0593, fulfilling the operational requirements of piezoelectric printheads. Remarkably, the ink maintained a sedimentation rate below 5% over a 7 week storage period, enabling continuous high-resolution patterning. This work establishes a critical material foundation for inkjet-printed multilayer ceramic-metal substrates and validates their potential in 5G communication systems and power electronics.