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Highly conductive MXene/Ag nanowire/UV-resin/polycarbonate flexible transparent electrode for capacitive sensors

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Abstract

In the field of wearable electronics, MXenes have emerged as promising two-dimensional (2D) materials, exhibiting exceptional properties such as metallic conductivity, water dispersibility, thermal stability, mechanical stability, and high optical transmittance. In this study, we present a unique flexible transparent conductive electrode (FTCE) composed of MXene, Ag nanowire (AgNW), ultraviolet resin (UV-resin), and polycarbonate (PC). Our fabrication process involves a roll-to-roll process and entirely solution-based methods including UV-resin dispensing, AgNW solution coating, and FTCE dipping in an MXene solution, providing a cost-effective manufacturing approach. Notably, compared to the pure AgNW-based FTCE, the proposed FTCE incorporating an MXene concentration of 5 mg/mL showed a significant enhancement of 40% in electrical conductivity, while the FTCE with a concentration of 2 mg/mL exhibited an improved figure of merit. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrate an embedded system integrating the FTCE-based capacitive touch and proximity sensor. These achievements in optoelectronic performance signify a tremendous potential for the development of high-performance flexible devices.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. RS-2023-00210498 & RS-2023-00277502). This research was also supported by a Chonnam National University (Smart Plant Reliability Center) grant funded by the Ministry of Education, South Korea (2020R1A6C101B197). We acknowledge the support of the Jeonnam Yeosu Industry-University Convergence Agency for providing cleanroom facilities. Hyeon Woo Kim and Yangkyu Park are the authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lighting Materials and Components Research Center, Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI), Gwangju, 61007, South Korea

    Ho-Jung Jeong & Young Hyun Song

  2. Department of Urology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 179 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, 49241, South Korea

    Hyeon Woo Kim

  3. Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, 179 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, 49241, South Korea

    Hyeon Woo Kim

  4. Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Chonnam National University, 50 Daehak-ro, Yeosu, 59626, Jeonnam, South Korea

    Yangkyu Park

  5. Corporate Growth Support Center, Jeonnam Yeosu Industry-University Convergence Agency, 17 Samdong 3-gil, Yeosu, Chonnam, 59631, South Korea

    Yangkyu Park

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  1. Ho-Jung Jeong
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  2. Young Hyun Song
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Contributions

Ho-Jung Jeong wrote the main manuscript text and Young Hyun Song contributed to the experiments. Hyeon Woo Kim and Yangkyu Park came up with the idea of this study and supervised the whole step of writing this paper. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hyeon Woo Kim or Yangkyu Park.

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Jeong, HJ., Song, Y.H., Kim, H.W. et al. Highly conductive MXene/Ag nanowire/UV-resin/polycarbonate flexible transparent electrode for capacitive sensors. J Incl Phenom Macrocycl Chem (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10847-023-01203-3

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