2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Optimizing Inkjet Printing of Tin Oxide Ink for Methane Sensors

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Carol Baumbauer

Abstract

Resistive tin oxide sensors are a promising tool to measure methane production because they are simple and printable. Inkjet printing is a scalable method that enables the use of multiple inks with different properties, allowing the fabrication of accurate sensors. However, characterization of tin oxide ink is required to establish inkjet printer and ink optimization baseline data. Here we show how substrate hydrophobicity influences the thickness and smoothness of the tin oxide sensing layers. The tin oxide was printed at different drop spacings and on different substrates: glass and kapton with three different surface treatments. The FN kapton was more hydrophobic which resulted in the ink beading up on the surface, which prevented the smooth and even layer needed for sensing. The drop spacing also impacts film properties. The closer the drop spacing, the more ink is deposited, and the thicker the layer. Knowing which substrates are suitable for printing with the tin oxide ink establishes a foundation for future work with tin oxide based gas sensors.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS