Ultra‐Robust Flexible Electronics by Laser‐Driven Polymer‐Nanomaterials Integration

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polymer in the world. For the first time, the laser‐driven integration of aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) into PET to realize a laser‐induced graphene/Al NPs/polymer composite, which demonstrates excellent toughness and high electrical conductivity with the formation of aluminum carbide into the polymer is shown. The conductive structures show an impressive mechanical resistance against >10000 bending cycles, projectile impact, hammering, abrasion, and structural and chemical stability when in contact with different solvents (ethanol, water, and aqueous electrolytes). Devices including thermal heaters, carbon electrodes for energy storage, electrochemical and bending sensors show this technology's practical application for ultra‐robust polymer electronics. This laser‐based technology can be extended to integrating other nanomaterials and create hybrid graphene‐based structures with excellent properties in a wide range of flexible electronics’ applications.

Laser-Induced Graphene Based Flexible Electronic Devices

“…Meanwhile, the conductivity, electrochemical performance [24,27,35,36], biocompatibility [37,38], and hydrophobicity [39][40][41] of LIG also have been systematically studied. A variety of LIG devices have been developed, including sensors [14][15][16][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42], supercapacitors [17,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55], nanogenerators [54][55][56][57][58]…”

“…The detected anisotropy is due to the specific orientation of the graphene-containing formations relative to the PI/LIG interface during the LIG formation. Furthermore, a variety of natural and synthetic materials, ranging from plants [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], textiles [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], papers [ 28 , 29 , 30 ] to other organic films [ 17 , 27 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], are experimentally demonstrated in serving as the carbon source to form LIG. Meanwhile, the conductivity, electrochemical performance [ 24 , 27 , 35 , 36 ], biocompatibility [ 37 , 38 ], and hydrophobicity [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] of LIG also have been systematically studied.…”

Laser‐Induced Graphene on Paper toward Efficient Fabrication of Flexible, Planar Electrodes for Electrochemical Sensing

“…Moreover, the applicability that has been proven in laser-enabled techniques for LIG production in flexible substrates such as PI and paper, has given the possibility to apply these approaches in flexible electronics. Besides the direct synthesis of materials in which LIG is included, other laser-based approaches for substrate microprocessing [29] and surface treatment are achievable, in an abundant list of materials, including polymers, [30] graphene [31] or metallic surfaces and nanoparticles, [32] for patterning and fabrication of active electronic elements and to potentiate the electric and conductive properties of many materials. Powered by these laser processing techniques, LIG has shown promising properties to complement such approaches, as well as conventional printing techniques, including screenprinting [33] and inkjet printing, [34] to develop active elements in flexible electronics for application in bioelectronic systems, such as conductive films, [35] supercapacitors [36] and biofuel cells [37] that can be integrated with biosensors for comprehensive, multifunctional, self-sustainable applications.…”

Recent Advances in Printing Technologies of Nanomaterials for Implantable Wireless Systems in Health Monitoring and Diagnosis

“…One study developed a laser‐based printing method to integrate nanomaterials onto polymer surfaces to form conductive composites. [ 111 ] Demonstrations included a single‐step process to integrate aluminum nanoparticles, graphene, and polymer and integrate iron oxide nanoparticles and Si nanowires into polymer surfaces. The resulting devices showed high mechanical and chemical durability.…”