Multitasking MXene Inks Enable High‐Performance Printable Microelectrochemical Energy Storage Devices for All‐Flexible Self‐Powered Integrated Systems

Abstract

The future of mankind holds great promise for things like the Internet of Things, personal health monitoring systems, and smart cities. To achieve this ambitious goal, it is imperative for electronics to be wearable, environmentally sustainable, and safe. However, large‐scale manufacture of self‐sufficient electronic systems by exploiting multifunctional materials still faces significant hurdles. Herein, multitasking aqueous printable MXene inks are reported as an additive‐free high‐capacitance electrode, sensitive pressure‐sensing material, highly conducting current collector, metal‐free interconnector, and conductive binder. By directly screen printing MXene inks, MXene‐based micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) and lithium‐ion microbatteries (LIMBs) are delicately fabricated on various substrates. The as‐prepared MSCs exhibit ultrahigh areal capacitance of 1.1 F cm−2 and the serially connected MSCs offer a record voltage of 60 V. The quasi‐solid‐state LIMBs deliver a robust areal energy density of 154 μWh cm−2. Furthermore, an all‐flexible self‐powered integrated system on a single substrate based on the multitasking MXene inks is demonstrated through seamless integration of a tandem solar cell, the LIMB, and an MXene hydrogel pressure sensor. Notably, this integrated system is exceptionally sensitive to body movements with a fast response time of 35 ms. Therefore, this multipurpose MXene ink opens a new avenue for powering future smart appliances.

Aqueous MXene/PH1000 Hybrid Inks for Inkjet‐Printing Micro‐Supercapacitors with Unprecedented Volumetric Capacitance and Modular Self‐Powered Microelectronics

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Integration of MEESDs with microelectronics can solve an array of problems associated with traditional MEESDs by allowing the conversion of intermittent renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, water, thermal, and mechanical energy) into a usable form through portable systems, hence saving additional power and cost. [8][9][10][11][12][13] The examples of a self-charging electrochromic microsupercapacitor (MSC) integrated with the hybrid tribo/piezoelectric nanogenerators powering a light emitting diode, [14] and a stretchable integrated system composed of a MSC, solar cells, and a strain sensor monitoring arterial pulse [15] show glimpses of a future where energy is harvested and used "on-the-go" without time lag. However, the current microsystems mostly Despite intense development of inkjet printing for scalable and customizable fabrication of power sources, one major shortcoming is the lack of eco-friendly aqueous inks free of additives (e.g., toxic solvents, surfactants).…”

3D Printed Electrochromic Supercapacitors with Ultrahigh Mechanical Strength and Energy Density

“…These areal capacitance values are markedly superior to most of recently reported symmetrical or asymmetrical systems, such as screen-printed AC/CNT/MXene-N/GO SC (8.2 F cm −2 ), [30] MXene-based micro SC (1.1 F cm −2 ), [31] direct-ink-written AC/ CNT/rGO SC (4.56 F cm −2 ), [32] NiCoP/MXene/CNT//AC SC (3.29 F cm −2 ), [33] 3D-printed Ti 3 C 2 T x interdigitated micro SC (2.1 F cm −2 ), [34] MXene//CNT/Zn hybrid capacitor (1.01 F cm −2 ), [35] and P-Mn 3 O 4 /C//AC SC (8.7 F cm −2 ), [36] WO x /Ex-GF//MnO 2 / Ex-GF SC (5.95 F cm −2 ), [37] SCNT/PANI//SCNT/W 18 O 49 Al-ion SC (2.92 F cm −2 ), [22b] PANI nanocrystal//WO 3 nanotube bundle SC (2.58 F cm −2 ), [38] TCC//LC-WO 3 /TCC SC (1.69 F cm −2 ), [39] GF-Ni-Au@NiO x //GF-Ni-Au@FeO x SC (1.67 F cm −2 ), [40] W 2 N SC (0.55 F cm −2 ), [41] WO 3 •2H 2 O SC (0.25 F cm −2 ), [9] CWS/Ni// graphene SC (0.23 F cm −2 ), [42] etc.…”

Recent advances in MXene-based force sensors: a mini-review

“…8 (a) The force sensor circuit prepared by printing with aqueous MXene ink. 92 (b) Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene electrode prepared through the printing process. 93 (c) The force sensor prepared with MXene ink by spraying techniques.…”