Electrical Conductivity Enhancement of Epoxy by Hybrid Carbon Nanotubes and Self-made Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Flexibility electrode with high stretchability, electrical conductivity, and good mechanical properties are desirable, owing to their promising applications in electronic circuit and human motion monitoring systems. In this paper, a high performance flexibility electrode was prepared based on printable and electrically conductive adhesive (ECA). This flexibility electrode is fabricated by mixing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), carbon nanotube (CNT) and epoxy resin and screen-printed to a required shape. The spherical AgNPs were prepared by DC arc plasma method. The Ag NPs present a polycrystalline crystal structure, the particle’s diameter range from 20 to 150 nm, with an average of 80 nm. Simultaneously, this flexibility electrode provides the advantages of simple, scalable fabrication, robust mechanical properties and versatility in applications. Based on these performance characteristics, its applications in flexible printed electrodes are demonstrated, revealing its tremendous potential for applications in flexible and wearable electronics. The flexibility sensor prepared by ECA exhibits fascinating comprehensive performances. The ECA filled with 65 % Ag NPs and 0.8 % CNT shows an excellent electrical conductivity (9×10−4 Ω·cm) and bonding strength (9.2 MPa).