Printable composition with nanostructures of first and second types

Abstract

A printable composition for use in forming a printed element by printing and curing is described. The printable composition comprises a plurality of nanostructures of a first type that, upon printing and curing, form an arrangement defining intermediate volumes thereamong. The printable composition further comprises a plurality of nanostructures of a second type that, upon printing and curing, at least partially fill the intermediate volumes to promote smooth surface topography and reduced porosity in the printed element.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A printed circuit element, comprising:
 a plurality of nanostructures of a first type in an arrangement defining intermediate volumes thereamong; and   a plurality of nanostructures of a second type at least partially filling said intermediate volumes, said printed circuit element being formed by a transfer of an ink solution comprising said nanostructures of the first and second types to a surface according to a printing process and by a curing of the transferred ink solution.   
     
     
         23 . The printed circuit element of  claim 22 , wherein said nanostructures of the first type are elongate nanostructures, and wherein said nanostructures of the second type are compact nanostructures. 
     
     
         24 . The printed circuit element of  claim 23 , said elongate nanostructures generally having aspect ratios greater than about 3:1, said compact nanostructures generally having aspect ratios less than about 2:1, and wherein a ratio by weight of said compact nanostructures to said elongate nanostructures in said printed circuit element is between about 0.2 and 20. 
     
     
         25 . The printed circuit element of  claim 24 , wherein said compact nanostructures are generally globular with a major dimension less than a minor dimension of said elongate nanostructures. 
     
     
         26 . The printed circuit element of  claim 25 , wherein said minor dimension of said elongate nanostructures is between about 2 nm and 100 nm. 
     
     
         27 . The printed circuit element of  claim 23 , wherein said elongate nanostructures comprise an inorganic semiconductor material, and wherein the printed circuit element is operable as a semiconductor circuit element having a carrier mobility greater than about 1 cm 2 /V-s. 
     
     
         28 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus comprising means for transferring a printable composition to a surface, said printable composition comprising a plurality of nanostructures of a first type that, upon transfer to a surface and curing, form an arrangement defining intermediate volumes thereamong, said printable composition further comprising a plurality of nanostructures of a second type that, upon said transfer and curing, at least partially fill said intermediate volumes to promote smooth surface topography and reduced porosity in a resultant printed element. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein said nanostructures of the first type are elongate nanostructures, and wherein said nanostructures of the second type are compact nanostructures. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said elongate nanostructures generally have aspect ratios greater than about 3:1, wherein said compact nanostructures generally have aspect ratios less than about 2:1, and wherein a ratio by weight of said compact nanostructures to said elongate nanostructures in said printable composition is between about 0.2 and 100. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , said printable composition further comprising a molecular precursor that, upon said transfer and curing, forms decomposed precursor solids further filling said intermediate volumes. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , said elongate nanostructures comprising a crystalline version of a compound, said decomposed precursor solids comprising an amorphous version of said compound, a polycrystalline version of said compound, or an epitaxially grown single-crystal version of said compound.