Cellulose‐Nanofiber‐Enabled 3D Printing of a Carbon‐Nanotube Microfiber Network

Abstract

Highly conductive and mechanically strong microfibers are attractive in energy storage, thermal management, and wearable electronics. Here, a highly conductive and strong carbon nanotube/nanofibrillated cellulose (CNT–NFC) composite microfiber is developed via a fast and scalable 3D‐printing method. CNTs are successfully dispersed in an aqueous solution using 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) oxidated NFCs, resulting in a mixture solution with an obvious shear‐thinning property. Both NFC and CNT fibers inside the all‐fiber‐based microfibers are well aligned, which helps to improve the interaction and percolation between these two building blocks, leading to a combination of high mechanical strength (247 ± 5 MPa) and electrical conductivity (216.7 ± 10 S cm−1). Molecular modeling is applied to offer further insights into the role of CNT–NFC fiber alignment for the excellent mechanical strength. The combination of high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and the fast yet scalable 3D‐printing technology positions the CNT–NFC composite microfiber as a promising candidate for wearable electronic devices.

3D Printed Disposable Wireless Ion Sensors with Biocompatible Cellulose Composites

“…[1][2][3] Representative sustainable nanocellulose materials like cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been used as primary constituent materials for additive manufacturing. [7,8] Specially, conductive cellulose inks which include conductive fillers such as graphene and carbon www.advelectronicmat.de [7,8] Specially, conductive cellulose inks which include conductive fillers such as graphene and carbon www.advelectronicmat.de…”

A Review of Applications Using Mixed Materials of Cellulose, Nanocellulose and Carbon Nanotubes

“…As a result, the embedded MWNTs were demonstrated to reduce the activation energy for the oxidative stabilization of cellulose nanofibers from about 230 to about 180 kJ/mol. In addition, Li et al reported that they developed highly conductive CNF-CNT microfibers using high-speed and scalable 3D printing techniques [110]. These microfibers can be normally dispersed in an aqueous solution using TEMPO-oxidized CNF, resulting in a mixed solution with obvious shear thinning properties.…”

High Rate Capability and Enhanced Cyclability of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 Cathode by In Situ Coating of Carbon Nanofibers for Sodium‐Ion Battery Applications

“…[6,7] This is because the larger ionic radius of Na + is likely to result in serious structurald egradation as well as sluggish kinetic properties during the intercalation/deintercalation process. [27][28][29] Nanoscale particles can shorten ionic transfer pathways and increaset he available active material/electrolytei nterfaces.I mportantly,c arbonaceous materials can greatlyi ncreasee lectronic conductivity,t hus realizing a fast synergic transfer betweene lectrons and ions. Their robust 3D framework facilitates fast ionic transfer with little lattice expansion.…”