MWCNT Ink with PEDOT:PSS as a multifunctional additive for energy efficient flexible heating applications

An all printed flexible, energy-efficient heater was fabricated using a conductive ink principally made of MWCNT. Herein, a systematic investigation on employing PEDOT:PSS as an effective binder and dispersant for affordable conductive ink manufacturing was carried out. Screen printable room temperature curing formulation made of MWCNT and PEDOT:PSS is being reported for the first time. The ink's enhanced stability is contributed by the pi-pi interaction between MWCNT and PEDOT:PSS. The printed conductive traces showed a sheet resistance of 51.31 +/- 0.25 Omega/square on Mylar substrate, ideal for flexible heater applications. The screen printed flexible heater based on MWCNT-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite has impressive energy efficiency and thermal stability, generating a peak temperature of 136 degrees C at the expense of only 0.137 W/cm(2). (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

An all-printed flexible, energy-efficient heater was developed using PEDOT:PSS as a binder and dispersant for a conductive ink primarily made of MWCNT. The ink formulation, with enhanced stability due to pi-pi interaction between MWCNT and PEDOT:PSS, showed a sheet resistance ideal for flexible heater applications. The screen printed flexible heater based on MWCNT-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite demonstrated impressive energy efficiency and thermal stability.