Large‐Scale Direct‐Writing of Aligned Nanofibers for Flexible Electronics

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2018-05, Vol.14 (21), p.e1703521-n/a
• Main Authors: Ye, Dong, Ding, Yajiang, Duan, Yongqing, Su, Jiangtao, Yin, Zhouping, Huang, Yong An
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alignment; Chronology; Electronics; electrospun nanofibers; electro‐hydrodynamic direct‐writing; Flexible components; flexible/stretchable electronics; Inkjet printing; micro/nanomanufacturing; Nanofibers; Nanotechnology; Nanowires; solution‐based processes; Substrates; Writing
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201703521

Nanofibers/nanowires usually exhibit exceptionally low flexural rigidities and remarkable tolerance against mechanical bending, showing superior advantages in flexible electronics applications. Electrospinning is regarded as a powerful process for this 1D nanostructure; however, it can only be able to produce chaotic fibers that are incompatible with the well‐patterned microstructures in flexible electronics. Electro‐hydrodynamic (EHD) direct‐writing technology enables large‐scale deposition of highly aligned nanofibers in an additive, noncontact, real‐time adjustment, and individual control manner on rigid or flexible, planar or curved substrates, making it rather attractive in the fabrication of flexible electronics. In this Review, the ground‐breaking research progress in the field of EHD direct‐writing technology is summarized, including a brief chronology of EHD direct‐writing techniques, basic principles and alignment strategies, and applications in flexible electronics. Finally, future prospects are suggested to advance flexible electronics based on orderly arranged EHD direct‐written fibers. This technology overcomes the limitations of the resolution of fabrication and viscosity of ink of conventional inkjet printing, and represents major advances in manufacturing of flexible electronics. Highly aligned nanofibers usually exhibit exceptionally low flexural rigidities, remarkable tolerance against mechanical bending, and good compatibility with well‐patterned microstructures, showing superior advantages in flexible electronics applications. An overview of the ground‐breaking progress in EHD direct‐writing technology for well‐arranged nanofibers deposition is given, including the brief chronology, the basic principles and alignment strategies, and the abundant applications in flexible devices.