Electronics Without Lead

TLDR

Lead‑containing interconnects are used in consumer electronics, and environmental concerns have spurred a search for lead‑free alternatives. The authors review efforts that focus on lead‑free alloys and electrically conductive adhesives as interconnect substitutes. Both lead‑free alloys and conductive adhesives show promise, yet none can fully replace conventional tin‑lead solder across all devices. Li et al.

Abstract

In conventional consumer electronics such as cell phones, lead-containing interconnects provide the conductive path between different circuit elements. Environmental concerns have led to a search for lead-free alternatives. In their Perspective, Li et al. review these efforts, which have focused on lead-free alloys and electrically conductive adhesives. Both of these approaches are showing promise, but no one lead-free interconnect material can serve as a substitute for the conventional tin-lead solder in all devices.