Conductive Ink Based Nanocomposites for Advanced Printing Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 8440

Special Issue Editors

1. Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Graphic Arts Technology Study Direction, University of West Attica, Egaleo, 122 43 Athens, Greece
2. Laboratory of Electronic Devices and Materials, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Egaleo, Greece
Interests: nanomaterials; nano inks; printing inks; printing substrates; printed electronics; environmental protection technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Achaias, Greece
Interests: carbon; graphene; nanomaterials; conductive carbon materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Conductive inks have remarkable applications in several fields, such as flexible and stretchable printed electronics, and have widely attracted the attention of scientists and industry experts.

The current state-of-the-art technologies for conductive inks are carbon nanomaterials such as graphene derivatives, carbon nanotubes, as well as metallic nanoparticles and especially silver or copper nanowires. The use of such functional nanomaterials in common printing processes (inkjet, screen, gravure and flexographic printing), requires the development of suitable inks with their own specific formulation requirements and rheological properties for each distinct process, making this task a challenge. Despite the considerable growth in this field, there are still various obstacles (cost, commercial scale production, eco-friendly technology, printing characteristics) that need to be overcome for the industrial scale application of conductive inks in the field of printed electronics.

Conductive inks are a significant part of the wider functional printing field, which is currently evolving and is considered as one of the key-future technologies in Printing. As such, conductive inks research is crucial for further development of printing technologies. Thus, the present special issue is a challenge for scientists from various fields, requiring the coexistence and cooperation for innovative research.

This Special Issue is planned to include research articles, short communications and mini reviews related to:

The preparation and use of nanomaterials for the development of conductive inks.
Characteristics, properties, and printing applications of conductive inks based on nanomaterials.
In general, works that contribute to the elucidation of a representative image of this subject.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of papers that will be presented in the 14th Paints Symposium “Research and Technology of Paints, Varnishes & Inks, a Bright Future”, (https://www.greekpaints.com/en/symposium-2022/).

Dr. Vassiliki Belessi
Dr. Vasilios Georgakilas
Guest Editors


Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • conductive inks
  • nanocomposites
  • graphene inks
  • silver/copper nanoparticles/nanowires
  • rheology
  • printed electronics
  • inkjet printing
  • screen printing
  • gravure printing
  • flexographic printing

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 6322 KiB  
Article
Graphene-Based Composites with Silver Nanowires for Electronic Applications
by Dimitra Giasafaki, Christina Mitzithra, Vassiliki Belessi, Theodora Filippakopoulou, Apostolos Koutsioukis, Vasilios Georgakilas, Georgia Charalambopoulou and Theodore Steriotis
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3443; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12193443 - 01 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2166
Abstract
Graphene/metal nanocomposites have shown a strong potential for use in electronic applications. In particular, the combination of silver nanowires (AgNWs) with graphene derivatives leads to the formation of an efficient conductive network, thus improving the electrical properties of a composite. This work focused [...] Read more.
Graphene/metal nanocomposites have shown a strong potential for use in electronic applications. In particular, the combination of silver nanowires (AgNWs) with graphene derivatives leads to the formation of an efficient conductive network, thus improving the electrical properties of a composite. This work focused on developing highly conductive hydrophilic hybrids of simultaneously functionalized and reduced graphene oxide (f-rGO) and AgNWs in different weight ratios by following two different synthetic routes: (a) the physical mixture of f-rGO and AgNWs, and (b) the in situ reduction of GO in the presence of AgNWs. In addition, the role of AgNWs in improving the electrical properties of graphene derivatives was further examined by mixing AgNWs with a hybrid of few-layered graphene with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FLG/MWNT-f-OH). The studied materials showed a remarkable improvement in the overall electrical conductivity due to the synergistic effect of their components, which was proportional to the percentage of Ag and dependent on the procedure of the hybrid formation. One of the f-rGO/AgNWs composites was also selected for the preparation of gravure printing inks that were tested to determine their rheological and printing properties. All of the f-rGO/AgNWs composites were shown to be very promising materials for use as conductive inks for flexible electronics. Full article
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10 pages, 2004 KiB  
Article
Screen-Printable Silver Paste Material for Semitransparent and Flexible Metal–Semiconductor–Metal Photodetectors with Liquid-Phase Procedure
by Shang Yu Tsai, Ching-Chang Lin, Cheng-Tang Yu, Yen-Shuo Chen, Wei-Lin Wu, Yu-Cheng Chang, Chun Chi Chen and Fu-Hsiang Ko
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2428; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12142428 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1427
Abstract
Photodetectors are widely applied in modern industrial fields because they convert light energy into electrical signals. We propose a printable silver (Ag) paste electrode for a highly flexible metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) broadband visible light photodetector as a wearable and portable device. Single-crystal and surface-textured [...] Read more.
Photodetectors are widely applied in modern industrial fields because they convert light energy into electrical signals. We propose a printable silver (Ag) paste electrode for a highly flexible metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) broadband visible light photodetector as a wearable and portable device. Single-crystal and surface-textured silicon substrates with thicknesses of 37.21 μm were fabricated using a wet etching process. Surface texturization on flexible Si substrates enhances the light-trapping effect and minimizes reflectance from the incident light, and the average reflectance is reduced by 16.3% with pyramid-like structures. In this study, semitransparent, conductive Ag paste electrodes were manufactured using a screen-printing with liquid-phase process to form a flexible MSM broadband visible light photodetector. The transmittance of the homemade Ag paste solution fell between 34.83% and 36.98% in the wavelength range of visible light, from 400 nm to 800 nm. The highest visible light photosensitivity was 1.75 × 104 at 19.5 W/m2. The photocurrents of the flexible MSM broadband visible light photodetector were slightly changed under concave and convex conditions, displaying stable and durable bending properties. Full article
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12 pages, 2821 KiB  
Article
A Screen-Printed Metal Hybrid Composite for Wireless Wind Sensing
by Xue Qi and Sooman Lim
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(6), 972; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12060972 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1925
Abstract
Wind sensing has become a key component in various fields with the growing trend of assessing air conditions for energy conversion. In this study, we demonstrated a wireless screen-printable flexible strain sensor system based on Ag/MWCNT composite for wind sensing. To achieve high [...] Read more.
Wind sensing has become a key component in various fields with the growing trend of assessing air conditions for energy conversion. In this study, we demonstrated a wireless screen-printable flexible strain sensor system based on Ag/MWCNT composite for wind sensing. To achieve high printability with the metal hybrid composite for the fabrication of a screen-printed flexible sensor, we systematically investigated the rheological properties, resulting in the high shear thinning and thixotropic behavior of the composite. After confirming the suitability for screen printing, we investigated the performance of the printed strain sensor, obtaining a gauge factor (G.F.) of 2.08 with 90% sensitivity and high durability after 6000 bending cycles. In addition, the sensor showed 98% temperature sensitivity during a wind sensing test due to the intrinsic properties of the metal hybrid composite. In an application based on an IoT system, we verified that the response of the wireless sensor corresponded with that of a wired sensor, indicating the expansion of low-cost, mass-produced screen-printed wind sensors. Full article
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17 pages, 9956 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Inkjet-Printed Reduced and Functionalized Water-Dispersible Graphene Oxide and Graphene on Polymer Substrate—Application to Printed Temperature Sensors
by Dimitris Barmpakos, Vassiliki Belessi, Rayner Schelwald and Grigoris Kaltsas
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2025; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11082025 - 08 Aug 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3110
Abstract
The present work reports on the detailed electro-thermal evaluation of a highly water dispersible, functionalized reduced graphene oxide (f-rGO) using inkjet printing technology. Aiming in the development of printed electronic devices, a flexible polyimide substrate was used for the structures’ formation. [...] Read more.
The present work reports on the detailed electro-thermal evaluation of a highly water dispersible, functionalized reduced graphene oxide (f-rGO) using inkjet printing technology. Aiming in the development of printed electronic devices, a flexible polyimide substrate was used for the structures’ formation. A direct comparison between the f-rGO ink dispersion and a commercial graphene inkjet ink is also presented. Extensive droplet formation analysis was performed in order to evaluate the repeatable and reliable jetting from an inkjet printer under study. Electrical characterization was conducted and the electrical characteristics were assessed under different temperatures, showing that the water dispersion of the f-rGO is an excellent candidate for application in printed thermal sensors and microheaters. It was observed that the proposed f-rGO ink presents a tenfold increased temperature coefficient of resistance compared to the commercial graphene ink (G). A successful direct interconnection implementation of both materials with commercial Ag-nanoparticle ink lines was also demonstrated, thus allowing the efficient electrical interfacing of the printed structures. The investigated ink can be complementary utilized for developing fully printed devices with various characteristics, all on flexible substrates with cost-effective, few-step processes. Full article
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