Advanced Nanomaterials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2024) | Viewed by 5793

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Interests: flexible electronics; robotics; microstructure manufacturing; 3D printing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Interests: 3D printing; flexible electronics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, flexible and wearable electronics integrated with various sensors, including strain sensors, tactile sensors and temperature sensors, have attracted widespread attention and created many opportunities in future applications, such as intelligent robots, electronic skin, human–machine interactions and healthcare monitoring, and profoundly changed human lifestyles. To achieve the soft state, flexible electronics requires novel approaches in material design, including strain minimization via the nanoscale processing of established materials and synthesis of new functional nanomaterials. A hybrid of top-down-processed nanomaterials and bottom-up-synthesized nanomaterials can create further multi-functionalities without sacrificing the mechanical deformability. These nanomaterials exhibit unique electrical, optical and electrochemical properties. Therefore, the development of nanomaterials is of vital importance to improve the performance and application field of flexible and wearable electronics.

The current Special Issue aims to provide an overview of recent developments in nanomaterials for flexible and wearable electronics. This includes, but is not limited to, the exploitation of new materials, structure and morphology designs and the fabrication for flexible electronics. Both original research articles and reviews are welcome. The Special Issue aims to promote the performance and expand the applications of flexible and wearable electronics.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hui Li
Dr. Yuan Jin
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • flexible electronics
  • wearable electronics
  • sensors
  • nanomaterials

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2693 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Using Ethanol-Exfoliated g-C3N4/PVDF Composites via 3D Printing for Self-Powered Applications
by Omkar Y. Pawar, Baoyang Lu and Sooman Lim
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1578; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191578 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1397
Abstract
This study presents the development of flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) utilizing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanoflakes (CNNFs) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites fabricated via the direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing method. A novel approach of synthesizing CNNFs using [...] Read more.
This study presents the development of flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) utilizing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanoflakes (CNNFs) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites fabricated via the direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing method. A novel approach of synthesizing CNNFs using the ethanol exfoliation method was demonstrated, which significantly reduces preparation time and cost compared to traditional acid exfoliation. The CNNFs are incorporated into PVDFs at varying weight percentages (5, 7.5, 10, and 15 wt.%) to optimize the β-phase content and piezoelectric properties. Characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, and FESEM confirm the successful synthesis and alignment of nanoflakes inside the PVDF matrix. The film with 7.5% CNNF achieves the highest performance, exhibiting a peak output voltage of approximately 6.5 V under a 45 N force. This study also explores the effects of UV light exposure. Under a UV light, the film exhibits an output voltage of 8 V, indicating the device’s durability and potential for practical applications. The fabricated device showed significant voltage outputs during various human motions, confirming its suitability for wearable self-powered IoT applications. This work highlights the efficacy of the ethanol exfoliation method and the DIW printing technique in enhancing the performance of flexible PENGs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)
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16 pages, 4632 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Low-Temperature Solution-Processed High-κ Gate Dielectrics Using Organic–Inorganic TiO2 Hybrid Nanoparticles
by Hong Nhung Le, Rixuan Wang, Benliang Hou, Sehyun Kim and Juyoung Kim
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(6), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14060488 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1900
Abstract
Organic–inorganic hybrid dielectric nanomaterials are vital for OTFT applications due to their unique combination of organic dielectric and inorganic properties. Despite the challenges in preparing stable titania (TiO2) nanoparticles, we successfully synthesized colloidally stable organic–inorganic (O-I) TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles using [...] Read more.
Organic–inorganic hybrid dielectric nanomaterials are vital for OTFT applications due to their unique combination of organic dielectric and inorganic properties. Despite the challenges in preparing stable titania (TiO2) nanoparticles, we successfully synthesized colloidally stable organic–inorganic (O-I) TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles using an amphiphilic polymer as a stabilizer through a low-temperature sol–gel process. The resulting O-I TiO2 hybrid sols exhibited long-term stability and formed a high-quality dielectric layer with a high dielectric constant (κ) and minimal leakage current density. We also addressed the effect of the ethylene oxide chain within the hydrophilic segment of the amphiphilic polymer on the dielectric properties of the coating film derived from O-I TiO2 hybrid sols. Using the O-I TiO2 hybrid dielectric layer with excellent insulating properties enhanced the electrical performance of the gate dielectrics, including superior field-effect mobility and stable operation in OTFT devices. We believe that this study provides a reliable method for the preparation of O-I hybrid TiO2 dielectric materials designed to enhance the operational stability and electrical performance of OTFTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)
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15 pages, 7963 KiB  
Article
Inkjet-Printed Dielectric Layer for the Enhancement of Electrowetting Display Devices
by Hongwei Jiang, Rongzhen Qian, Tinghong Yang, Yuanyuan Guo, Dong Yuan, Biao Tang, Rui Zhou, Hui Li and Guofu Zhou
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(4), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14040347 - 12 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Electrowetting with a dielectric layer is commonly preferred in practical applications. However, its potential is often limited by factors like the properties of the dielectric layer and its breakdown, along with the complexity of the deposition method. Fortunately, advancements in 3D inkjet printing [...] Read more.
Electrowetting with a dielectric layer is commonly preferred in practical applications. However, its potential is often limited by factors like the properties of the dielectric layer and its breakdown, along with the complexity of the deposition method. Fortunately, advancements in 3D inkjet printing offer a more adaptable solution for making patterned functional layers. In this study, we used a negative photoresist (HN-1901) to create a new dielectric layer for an electrowetting display on a 3-inch ITO glass using a Dimatix DMP-2580 inkjet printer. The resulting devices performed better due to their enhanced resistance to dielectric breakdown. We meticulously investigated the physical properties of the photoresist material and printer settings to achieve optimal printing. We also controlled the uniformity of the dielectric layer by adjusting ink drop spacing. Compared to traditional electrowetting display devices, those with inkjet-printed dielectric layers showed significantly fewer defects like bubbles and electrode corrosion. They maintained an outstanding response time and breakdown resistance, operating at an open voltage of 20 V. Remarkably, these devices achieved faster response times of ton 22.3 ms and toff 14.2 ms, surpassing the performance of the standard device. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Nanomaterials for Flexible and Wearable Electronics)
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