3D Printing-Enabled Rapid Reproduction of Mxene Based Supercapacitors
Authors: Kremer Matthias Peter , Zhang Chuanfang , Nicolosi Valeria 
Published: February 2020

Application of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials for energy storage devices such as batteries or supercapacitors has been proposed many times since properties of the materials at such scale offer short ion transport routes and high surface area [1]. Most recently, the potential of Ti3CN transition metal carbides (MXenes) as anodes of Li-ion batteries was proposed [2]. However, realization of such applications has lacked so far a flexible, scalable, reproducible and cost-effective manufacturing method. The fabrication of 2D nanomaterials by liquid phase exfoliation allows production of large amounts of these materials at low prices [3], but fabrication of devices based on such materials at competitive rates is still a challenge.

Ink-jet printing is employed by many research groups for fabrication of nanomaterials-based devices since it’s a highly flexible technique enabling to adjust process parameters quickly and to vary the devices’ design dynamically [4]. While on research level ink-jet printing is a very useful tool, the scalability of the process is limited and transition to mass production not trivial. Therefore, it would be favorable to employ techniques which are closer to high volume fabrication in their process principle from first lab experiments on.

In this work, a simple yet effective method was employed to rapidly reproduce structures for supercapacitors on various substrates. The method comprises stamps which were 3D printed by fused deposition modelling (FDM) and MXene loaded inks.

The very simple process of depositing involves coating the stamp with Ti3CN ink and pressing it onto a substrate subsequently. As stamp printing is a very fast and easy to execute process it provides a proper tool to rapidly produce a large number of identical devices. Various different materials were evaluated to serve as substrates, such as paper, glass and PET, demonstrating the high flexibility of the process.

Electrochemical analysis of the devices was performed and comparative results thereof are discussed in this work.

Using a 3D printer to fabricate the stamps enables dynamic change of the design of the capacitor to adapt to previously performed tests.

The figure shows a stamped capacitor structure on paper substrate, a photograph of 3D printed stamps with varying capacitor designs and a CV graph of said printed device.

While being fast and easy to handle in the lab, the working principle of stamp printing relies on the same mechanics as roll to roll printing, which is a high volume printing technology. This approach promises high scalability potential while simultaneously it stays flexible and adaptive to rapid changes making it suitable for research and development works. First results of the electrochemical characterization of the devices show good capacitive behaviors with rectangular CV shapes.

References:

Ma, R. and Sasaki, T., Nanosheets of Oxides and Hydroxides: Ultimate 2D Charge-Bearing Functional Crystallites. Adv. Mater. 2010, 22 (45), 5082-5104.

Chen, X.; Kong, Z.; Li, N.; Zhao, X. and Sun, C., Proposing the prospects of Ti3CN transition metal carbides (MXenes) as anodes of Li-ion batteries: a DFT study, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 32937

Nicolosi, V.; Chhowalla, M.; Kanatzidis, M. G.; Strano, M. S. and Coleman, J. N., Liquid Exfoliation of Layered Materials. Science 2013, 340 (6139).

Mendoza-Sánchez, B. and Gogotsi, Y. (2016), Synthesis of Two-Dimensional Materials for Capacitive Energy Storage. Adv. Mater., 28: 6104–6135.

Figure 1