High-Aspect-Ratio Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Structures for Flexible Transparent Electrothermal Films

Abstract

The exceptional electrical conductivity and efficient heat transfer efficiency of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) make them an ideal material for flexible transparent films, which require a combination of these properties. Nevertheless, the regulation of electrical conductivity and light transmittance in flexible MWCNT films presents significant technical challenges. This paper proposes a method for fabricating flexible transparent films with embedded MWCNTs grid electrode structures based on UV imprinting and scraper filling processes. The light transmittance and electrothermal properties of the films are regulated by the design of the grid dimensions. For the flexible MWCNT films with a grid cavity depth of 23 μm, a grid opening size of 100 μm, and a grid width of 6 μm, the temperature can be increased to 106 °C at 30 V. Concurrently, light transmission was observed to be 87.6%. The flexible films exhibit robust mechanical stability under diverse bending radii and repeated cyclic bending tests. Moreover, the film is capable of not only precise temperature control but also monitoring the temperature change characteristics of fluorescent materials in real-time.