High durability ink cartridge printhead and method for making the same

A high-durability printhead and method for making the same. A substrate is provided which includes an ink ejector system and a barrier layer. An orifice plate having a bottom surface made of an elemental noble metal [e.g. gold, platinum, and/or palladium] is affixed to the barrier layer using an adhesive produced by combining a mercapto oxysilane polymer and a trialkoxy silane coupling agent. To accomplish affixation, a mercapto trialkoxy silane is applied to the bottom surface of the orifice plate, followed by treatment of the plate with water to yield the mercapto oxysilane polymer. The mercapto oxysilane polymer may also be formed before delivery to the plate. The coupling agent is then applied to the polymer, thereby producing the adhesive. The orifice plate is then attached to the barrier layer using this adhesive. As a result, a unique printhead is produced having improved structural integrity.