A Study on the fabrication of MWCNT-based thin film and sensor operation characteristics

Abstract

Recently, much research has been made on carbon-based electrodes for ion-battery applications. However, to obtain more efficient anode, carbon-nanotube (CNT) based electrodes have been studied. In this study, we have investigated on the fabrication of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) based anode by printing method for the ion-battery applications. MWCNT paste was prepared and printed on a PET substrate. The printing process was optimized by adjusting the paste viscosityand investigated the electrical properties of the printed film. The PET film substrates used with a thickness of 250 μm and a size of 30 mm x 30 mm. The pastes used to prepare the printed thin films were mixed with MWCNT and organic binder in a weight ratio of 1:21. The binder was prepared by mixing ethyl cellulose and α-Terpineol in a weight ratio of 1:19. After printing, the binder was removed by heat treatment at 100 oC for 3 hours. The surface and electrical propertiesof the printed thin films were analyzed to optimize the electrode fabrication process. First, the surface of the PET substrate was cleaned with DI water, IPA, and acetone. Also the resistivity and the void density of the printed film wereexamined according to the cleaning method. The surface morphology was observed with an optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy.