Cytomembrane-Inspired MXene Ink with Amphiphilic Surfactant for 3D Printed Microsupercapacitors

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) material-based hydrogels have been widely utilized as the ink for extrusion-based 3D printing in various electronics. However, the viscosity of the hydrogel ink is not high enough to maintain the self-supported structure without architectural deformation. It is also difficult to tune the microstructure of the printed devices using a low-viscosity hydrogel ink. Herein, by mimicking a phospholipid bilayer in a cytomembrane, the amphiphilic surfactant nonaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E9) was incorporated into MXene hydrogel. The incorporation of C12E9 offers amphiphilicity to the MXene flakes and produces a 3D interlinked network of the MXene flakes. The 3D interlinked network offers a high-viscosity, homogenized flake distribution and enhanced printability to the ink. This ink facilitates the alignment of the MXene flakes during extrusion as well as the formation of the aligned micro- and sub-microsized porous structures, leading to the improved electrochemical performance of the printed microsupercapacitor. This study provides an example for the preparation of microelectronics with tunable microstructures.

Three-Dimensional MXene-Based Functional Materials for Water Treatment: Preparation, Functional Tailoring, and Applications

“…Crossed finger electrodes prepared by 3D printing and freeze-drying have excellent electrical properties. In recent years, research on MXene 3D printing has been in full swing, and MXene inks enable 3D printing based on having desirable rheological properties. ,,,− …”

Editable 3D Micro-Supercapacitor with High Energy Density Based on Mortise–Tenon Joint Structures

“…8,9 To address this, a three-dimensional (3D) conductive skeleton structure is introduced into MSCs to prevent the clogging of the planar electrode surface and shorten the ion transmission distance, thereby increasing capacitance performance. 10 Most threedimensional conductive skeleton structures have been reported, such as 3D graphene, 11,12 carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 13 3D hydrated ruthenium dioxides, 14,15 graphenecarbon sphere electrodes, 16,17 etc. But the randomness and brittleness of these skeleton structures impede the ion transport and miniaturized assembly of devices.…”

“…At present, research mainly focuses on functional planar MSCs with high energy density, such as a flexible MSC, a stretchable MSC, a self-healable MSC, an electrochromic MSC, and a self-protective MSC. − These functional materials and structures satisfy the application requirements of planar MSCs in a complex environment, but their in-plane stacking structure generates damage to the active specific surface area (SSA) and porosity of electrode materials, which limits the enhancement of energy density. , To address this, a three-dimensional (3D) conductive skeleton structure is introduced into MSCs to prevent the clogging of the planar electrode surface and shorten the ion transmission distance, thereby increasing capacitance performance . Most three-dimensional conductive skeleton structures have been reported, such as 3D graphene, , carbon nanotubes (CNTs), 3D hydrated ruthenium dioxides, , graphene-carbon sphere electrodes, , etc. But the randomness and brittleness of these skeleton structures impede the ion transport and miniaturized assembly of devices .…”

Low‐Temperature Resistant Stretchable Micro‐Supercapacitor Based on 3D Printed Octet‐Truss Design

“…Due to the planar characteristics of MSCs, such devices can be easily integrated with flexible electronics. [ 1,11–17 ] The IDE‐MSCs are mostly based on depositing rigid electrochemical electrodes on flexible substrates, coated with gel electrolytes. Therefore, the interfacial bonding between the electrode and gel electrolytes cannot survive the high tensile state, which will result in the separation of electrode‐electrolyte interface and poor electrochemical performance.…”

“…[21][22][23] Among all of them, 3D printing is a powerful technique that has been widely deployed to fabricate advanced MSCs with controllable 3D structures. [13,24] Direct ink writing (DIW) printing technique has been extensively investigated due to the wide choice of electrode materials. [25,26] With proper posttreatment, the electrochemical performance can further be significantly improved.…”