Preparation of large-area, high-performance single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based heater films by roll-to-roll gravure printing

Abstract

In this work, we have developed an eco-friendly and fast method for the preparation of large-area high-performance single-walled-carbon-nanotube (SWCNT)-based conductive thin films on polyethylene terephthalate substrates by roll-to-roll (R2R) gravure printing technology. Large-area (16 cm × 32 cm) conductive films, consisting of SWCNT or SWCNT/silver nanowire (AgNW) films, were fabricated for the first time by R2R gravure printing technique. The conductivity, transmittance, mechanical flexibility and heating ability were evaluated in detail. For example, the square resistances of the SWCNT thin film and SWCNT/AgNW composite film were 69.92 and 17.44 Ω/□ and the optical transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm were 50.70% and 66.77%, respectively. Meanwhile, the prepared SWCNT and SWCNT/AgNW composite films exhibit excellent heating stability, temperature uniformity and resistance to bending. The composite films can withstand 6000 bending cycles at a curvature radius of 3.5 mm and obtain a temperature of up to 100 °C with a low driving voltage (6 V), a fast heating response (within 15 s) and heating rate (about 4.933 °C s−1). These properties reflect the potential of SWCNTs in improving the mechanical and heating properties of composite films, which are promising for low power, large area, flexible and customizable electronic devices.