3D-ADD EKC, silver nanowire additive for designing clear and colored conductive 3D resins

3D-ADD EKC is our silver nanowire additive for designing clear and colored electrically conductive 3D resins, such as 3D printed clear or translucent grey materials for electronics e.g. transparent electrodes for touch screens, PV, OLED devices and displays. Low cost alternative to TCO.  Other applications: sensors, heaters, lighting, security, photovoltaic cells.

The usage of 3D-ADD EKC at different dosages is ideal for designing clear and semi transparent conductive materials, since it has nearly no effect on the clarity, nor in the color, specially when used at low dosage and thin applications.

3D-ADD EKC has these features and benefits:

• conductive silver nanowire additive
• dimensiones: length 30 microns, thickness 100 nm
• length to width or aspect ratio: 300
• typical conductivity values as supplied:
• Resistance >93 mΩ/sq
• Resistivity >47 μΩ.m
• Conductivity <21 kS/m
• versatile conductive silver nanowire additive for conductive applications
• translucent grey color, but clear or translucent at low dosage and thin applications
• minor light blocking effect for maximum printability even at high dosage with low light power printers after formulation in a suitable 3D resin system
• chemically compatible with most commercial SLA, DLP & LCD 3D resins
• safe and biocompatible
• eco friendly and biodegradable
• mix 3D-ADD EKC1 in your chosen 3D resin gently with a vortex or rotational mixer at less than 500-1500 rpm until full mixing of the silver (avoid excessive energy to prevent breaking of the long and thin nanowires, foaming and gelation)
• Dosages of 5-6% of silver nanowires (5-6 tubes) typically provide:
• Sheet resistance >7.6 MΩ/sq
• Resistivity >4.5 kΩ.m
• Conductivity <0.2 mS/m
• excessive dosage may promote the formation of clusters, or clumps (sea-island or nodular structures) and asymptotic behavior of the percolation network

It is recommended to use 3D-ADD EKC in combination with:

• 3D-ADD ASC1 (High Hydrophilicity HHP version)  anti sedimentation additive to keep nanowires in suspersion
• 3D-ADD Disper-All3 WS, high polarity dispersant for wetting nanowires
• 3D-ADD GrapEK1 Bio, biocompatible electrically conductive nano graphene additive for promoting conductivity, uncoiling and stabilization of nanowires in suspension

Instructions for Use IFU:

3D-ADD EKC is supplied in 50 mL test tubes, each one containing 1 gram of silver nanowire additive in a small quantity of an inert deagglomerating excipient. It is recommended to fill up the test tube with your chosen 3D resin system.

3D-ADD EKC and mix it preferably with a vortex mixer until full homogenization, to prevent any potential cross-contamination, or gently with a Conn blade rotary mixer (less preferably with an ultrasonic bath or probe sonicator). In any case, avoid excessive shear, to prevent breaking of the nanowires, excessive foaming and gelation. After full homogenization, protect the 3D resin from light to prevent its curing. Remember to mix gently the conductive resin with a vortex mixer before printing for full mixing and deagglomeration of the nanowires. 

More more information read: Instructions for Use IFU for conductive resin systems

Typical conductivity values at different dosages of 3D-ADD EKC at 10V and approximate thickness of 500-600 microns:

2% pure silver nanowires: 2 tubes of 3D-ADD EKC in 100 grams of a 3D resin:

• Wet conductivity:
• Sheet resistance >3.5 MΩ/sq
• Resistivity >1.9 kΩ.m
• Conductivity <0.5 mS/m

• Dry conductivity: non-conductive

5-6% pure silver nanowires: 5-6 tubes of 3D-ADD EKC in 100 grams of a 3D resin:

• Wet conductivity:
• Sheet resistance >274 kΩ/sq
• Resistivity >137 kΩ.m
• Conductivity <7 mS/m
• Dry conductivity:
• Sheet resistance >7.6 MΩ/sq
• Resistivity >4.5 kΩ.m
• Conductivity <0.2mS/m

Excessive dosage decreases conductivity by creation of clusters of coiled nanowires, as shown:

8-9% pure silver nanowires: 8-9 tubes of 3D-ADD EKC in 100 grams of a 3D resin:

• Dry conductivity:
• Sheet resistance >9 MΩ/sq
• Resistivity >6 kΩ.m
• Conductivity <0.14 μS/m

Comparison vs 3D-ADD GrapEK1 Bio, our biocompatible electrically conductive nano graphene 3D additive. Typical achievable values at 1.5%pure graphene (5% of 3D-ADD GrapEK1 Bio) dosage by weight at 250 microns: 

• Sheet resistance >150 kΩ/square
• Resistivity >40 Ω.m
• Conductivity <30 mS/m

3D-ADD EKC and 3D-ADD GrapEK1 Bio are compatible, can be mixed, and used together to get synergistic properties of clarity and conductivity since 3D-ADD GrapEK1 Bio helps to prevent the curling, coiling, and clumpling of 3D-ADD EKC.

3D-ADD EKC is supplied as a kit, which contains 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 test tubes of 3D-ADD EKC, containing each one 1 gram of silver nanowire additive in a small quantity of an inert deagglomerating excipient,  1 graduated beaker and one empty 100 mL amber bottle to measure, mix, keep and protect the 3D resins from daylight. Please do not expose any 3D resins to natural or room light to prevent their curing.

*Note: achievable conductivity or resistivity values for different dosages of 3D-ADD EKC depend on the used dosage, the used 3D resin, as its potential to conduct electricity, as well as on the degree of deagglomeration, stabilisation, and homogenization of 3D-ADD EKC, which depends on the chosen resin properties, the dispersion equipment and the overall specifications used during preparation, printing and postprocessing. IMPORTANT: The product has a shelf life of 12 months.