Synthesis, Processing, and Characterization of CNT Filaments for Printing of High-Performance Flexible Electronics

Abstract

The rapid advancement of 3D printing technology has provided opportunities for exploring novel materials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), that possess significant capabilities for improving electrical devices. CNTs exhibit remarkable conductivity and mechanical characteristics within the flexible electronics domain, rendering them an up-and-coming contender for propelling advancements in this discipline. The synthesis, processing, and characterization of CNT-based filaments play a crucial role in entirely using the capabilities of these materials for applications in flexible electronics. This work presents the CNT Filaments for Printing System (CNT-FPS), a holistic approach incorporating cutting-edge CNT manufacturing, filament processing, and material characterization methodologies. The CNT-FPS material exhibits distinctive characteristics, such as precise control over diameter management, elevated levels of purity, and remarkable dispersion of CNTs inside the polymer matrix. The CNT-FPS method exhibited superior performance in eight key metrics. These metrics include filament diameter (1.15 mm), surface morphology (8.75 µm), electrical conductivity (375.62 S/cm), tensile strength (61.24 MPa), Young's Modulus (13.45 GPa), thermal stability (340.75°C), crystallinity (48.75%), and wear rate (0.009 mm³/Nm). The findings of this study demonstrate a potentially fruitful direction for advancing the field of high-performance flexible electronics. The research provides a foundation for developing electrical devices that exhibit exceptional durability, adaptability, and functionality through the strategic enhancement of CNT synthesis, processing, and characterization techniques inside the CNT-FPS framework. These devices have immense potential for diverse applications like wearable technology, healthcare, and beyond.