3D printing interface-modified PDMS/MXene nanocomposites for stretchable conductors

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2021.11.048

Abstract

Abstract:

Additive manufacturing has rapidly evolved over recent years with the advent of polymer inks and those inks containing novel nanomaterials. The compatibility of polymer inks with nanomaterial inks remains a great challenge. Simple yet effective methods for interface improvement are highly sought-after to significantly enhance the functional and mechanical properties of printed polymer nanocomposites. In this study, we developed and modified a Ti₃C₂ MXene ink with a siloxane surfactant to provide compatibility with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. The rheology of all the inks was investigated with parameters such as complex modulus and viscosity, confirming a self-supporting ink behaviour, whilst Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy exposed the inks’ reaction mechanisms. The modified MXene nanosheets have displayed strong interactions with PDMS over a wide strain amplitude. An electrical conductivity of 6.14 × 10^-2 S cm^-1 was recorded for a stretchable nanocomposite conductor containing the modified MXene ink. The nanocomposite revealed a nearly linear stress-strain relationship and a maximum stress of 0.25 MPa. Within 5% strain, the relative resistance change remained below 35% for up to 100 cycles, suggesting high flexibility, conductivity and mechanical resilience. This study creates a pathway for 3D printing conductive polymer/nanomaterial inks for multifunctional applications such as stretchable electronics and sensors.

Key words: 3D printing, MXene, Nanocomposites, Stretchable conductors

Mathias Aakyiir, Brayden Tanner, Pei Lay Yap, Hadi Rastin, Tran Thanh Tung, Dusan Losic, Qingshi Meng, Jun Ma. 3D printing interface-modified PDMS/MXene nanocomposites for stretchable conductors[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2022, 117: 174-182.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1. Chemical structure of the siloxane surfactant (Silquat, Mw = 1900) used to modify the MXene nanosheets in the ink.

Fig. 2. (a) Schematic of step-by-step printing (PH means print head), (b) a photograph of a sliced file depicting the PDMS matrix (blue region) and the serpentine pattern of either un-MX or m-MX printed on the PDMS, (c) the pattern clearly printed on a glass slide as a trial and (d) a typical printed stretchable conductor. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

Table 1. Optimised printing properties of inks.

Description	un-MX	m-MX	PDMS
Applied pressure (kPa)	33	33	53
Layer height (mm)	0.2	0.2	0.2
Print speed (mm/s)	6	6	6

Fig. 3. (a) XRD patterns of un-MX and m-MX, (b) FTIR spectra showing prominent peaks of un-MX, m-MX, PDMS and the siloxane surfactant, (c) schematic of the printed stretchable conductor, and (d) thermal stability of un-MX and m-MX obtained by TGA in nitrogen.

Fig. 4. Rheological properties of the inks: (a) shear stress sweep test to determine yield stress, (b) shear rate sweep curves revealing shear-thinning behaviour, recoverability curves under (c) alternating applied strain and (d) shear rate, and (e, f) frequency sweep tests revealing solid-like feature.

Fig. 5. (a) A cross-sectional view of m-MXene ink (black region) encased in the elastomer matrix (white region), (b, c) magnified region of interconnected m-MXene nanosheets providing electrical conductivity for the construct, and (d) electrical conductivity.

Fig. 6. (a) Stress-strain graph of the stretchable conductor, (b-d) hysteresis curves at different strains and cycles, and (e, f) relative resistance change vs strain.

Table 2. Integrated areas of hysteresis curves at different strain amplitudes and cycles.

Cycle no.	Strain amplitude
Cycle no.	5%	10%	20%
1	0.011	0.062	0.239
10	0.013	0.060	0.208
50	0.006	0.060	0.192
100	0.007	0.063	0.190
Standard deviation	0.003	0.001	0.020

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