Room-temperature high-precision printing of flexible wireless electronics based on MXene inks

Wireless technologies-supported printed flexible electronics are crucial for the Internet of Things (IoTs), human-machine interaction, wearable and biomedical applications. However, the challenges to existing printing approaches remain, such as low printing precision, difficulty in conformal printing, complex ink formulations and processes. Here we present a room-temperature direct printing strategy for flexible wireless electronics, where distinct high-performance functional modules (e.g., antennas, micro-supercapacitors, and sensors) can be fabricated with high resolution and further integrated on various flat/curved substrates. The additive-free titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene aqueous inks are regulated with large single-layer ratio (>90%) and narrow flake size distribution, offering metallic conductivity (similar to 6, 900 S cm(-1)) in the ultrafine-printed tracks (3 mu m line gap and 0.43% spatial uniformity) without annealing. In particular, we build an all-MXene-printed integrated system capable of wireless communication, energy harvesting, and smart sensing. This work opens a door for high-precision additive manufacturing of printed wireless electronics at room temperature.

Automated summary

This research presents a strategy for direct printing of flexible wireless electronics at room temperature. By regulating the additive-free titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene aqueous inks, high-resolution and high-performance functional modules can be fabricated and integrated on various substrates. This work opens up possibilities for high-precision additive manufacturing of printed wireless electronics at room temperature.