Performance Enhancement of Inkjet Printed Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Inks using Synthetic and Green Surfactants

Abstract

While the efficiency of synthetic surfactants in controlling the dispersion behaviour of nanomaterials in aqueous solution has been well documented, issues on environmental impact remain unsolved. The aim of this study is to synthesize multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) inks using green surfactants and their chemical, physical, and electrical performances are compared to those of synthetic surfactant inks. The conductive ink is synthesized by dispersing MWCNTs in surfactant solution (gum Arabic [GA], alkali lignin [AL], polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP] or pluronic F‐127 [PL]) with various concentrations. Among four investigated surfactants, GA/MWCNTs and PVP/MWCNTs inks are selected for further investigation due to their excellent dispersion stability. The printability of both inks is assessed by analyzing the quality of the conductive patterns printed with different inkjet printers theoretically and experimentally. It is found that multi‐nozzle printer is capable of developing printed patterns with lower sheet resistance compared to single‐nozzle printer. Overall, 5 GA/MWCNTs ink recorded as the most stable ink with only 14.4% reduction of absorbance after 30 days and with zeta potential value of −40.3 ± 5.36 mV. Ten layers of 5 GA/MWCNTs ink printed on PVA demonstrate a dense MWCNTs networks, which contribute to the lowest surface resistance of 3.0 kΩ sq−1.

PbWO4 Synergistically Modified with Styrene Maleic Anhydride and Bis(dioctyl pyrophosphate) Ethylene Titanate in Highly Filled Polymer Fibers for Enhanced γ‐Ray Shielding Safety and Wear Comfort of Articles

“…Normally, larger absolute values of zeta potential contribute to more stable suspensions. [ 48 ] As shown in Figure a, all the modified PWO suspension are negative charged. The absolute value of zeta potential of PWO‐BPET and PWO@SMA suspension is 27 and 40 mV, respectively, which is not enough to prevent from the agglomeration of PWO‐BPET.…”

An Electroactive and Self‐Assembling Bio‐Ink, based on Protein‐Stabilized Nanoclusters and Graphene, for the Manufacture of Fully Inkjet‐Printed Paper‐Based Analytical Devices

“…[63,64] Furthermore, EG and CNTs are promising candidates for the development of conductive inks and, due to their fascinating physicochemical properties, are becoming increasingly attractive for inkjet printing of low-cost and flexible sensors. [65,66] Therefore, we investigated if an advantageous effect could originate by using these carbon-based materials and the selected PtAuNC@C6 His16 together. Both EG and CNTs presented an intrinsic electrocatalytic effect towards both the reduction and oxidation of H 2 O 2 (Figures S6 and S7, Supporting Information) and they also showed improved electrochemical properties when physically mixed with the PtAuNC@C6 His16 in a 1:1 ratio (Figures 2 and 4).…”

“…With the aim of avoiding or at least reducing the use of these precious metals, carbon nanomaterials (e.g., graphite, graphene, nanotubes) have been investigated as a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative. [8,10,11] With the same optic, several efforts are focused on the development of water-based inks to replace solvent-based ones, reducing the release of volatile organic compounds. [9,[12][13][14] However, there is a bottleneck affecting the development of water-based inks, namely the strict rheological conditions that inkjet printing imposes.…”

Obvious improvement of dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotubes in polymer matrix through careful interface design

“…Another effective strategy is the use of compatibilizer utilizing noncovalent interaction such as π–π interaction, static charge interaction 28–33 . For example, surfactants are thought to efficiently adhere to the CNTs surface, offering both steric repulsion and colloidal stability to the dispersion 33,34 . With the help of strong sonication and ultracentrifugation, surfactants are highly effective at yielding high proportions of isolated individual tubes.…”

“…[28][29][30][31][32][33] For example, surfactants are thought to efficiently adhere to the CNTs surface, offering both steric repulsion and colloidal stability to the dispersion. 33,34 With the help of strong sonication and ultracentrifugation, surfactants are highly effective at yielding high proportions of isolated individual tubes. However, it should be reminded that strong sonication and ultracentrifugation would decrease the length of CNTs.…”