Patterned metallizations in perfluorosulphonate membranes by printing methods

Patterned thin film electrodes of platinum and silver have been obtained by printing techniques onto sodium perfluorosulphonate membranes to prepare ionic polymer–metal composite actuators. Metal adhesion has been improved by oxygen plasma activation of perfluorosulphonate. Plasma treatment produces oxygen‐containing functional groups at surfaces. Platinum‐patterned electrodes have been obtained by two methods: (i) ink‐jet printing solution of [Pt(NH3)4]++ 2Cl− followed by chemical reduction and (ii) carbon black complementary mask printing followed by platinum complex adsorption and reduction. Silver‐patterned electrodes have been obtained by ink‐jet printing of silver‐based nanoparticles ink sintered at 150 °C, ambient pressure for 1 h. The typical surface resistivity values of patterned electrodes are 5 Ω sq−1 for platinum and 0.5–1 Ω sq−1 for sintered silver, respectively. Perfluorosulphonate with platinum‐ and silver‐patterned electrodes shows electrical stimuli responsivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.