Conductive leaf vein networks produced via Ag nanoparticle self-assembly for potential applications of flexible sensor

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 284; p. 128937
• Main Authors: Keller, Philip, Kawasaki, Hideya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Ag nano-ink; Bending; Conductivity; Flexible components; Flexible electronics devices; Leaf vein; Materials science; Nanoparticles; Nature-inspired structural materials; Networks; Polyelectrolytes; Pressure sensors; Self-assembly; Sensors; Silver; Nature-inspired structural materials; Leaf vein; Flexible electronics devices; Ag nano-ink
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2020.128937

[Display omitted] •Conductive leaf vein networks were produced using water-dispersible Ag NP ink.•Ag NPs were deposited evenly deposited on the leaf vein networks via self-assembly.•Low annealing temperatures (150 °C) were sufficient to form conductive networks.•The conductive leaf vein networks were used in flexible bending/pressure sensors. The first use of water-dispersible Ag nanoparticle (Ag NP)-based ink to produce conductive leaf vein networks in flexible bending/pressure sensors was reported. Homogeneous deposition of the Ag NPs on the leaf vein network was achieved via Ag NP self-assembly based on electrostatic interactions between polycations and polyanions. The Ag NP covered leaf vein network was annealed at 150 °C to impart conductive properties with a resistance of ~3 to 5 Ω. The networks were utilized in potential application as flexible bending and pressure sensors.