Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
a methyl orange (MO) solution. Furthermore, good stability against photocorrosion
was exhibited by these composite materials. h erefore, the produced nanocomposites
could be promising for use in the photodegradation of organic pollutants [199].
15.8.3
Printed Electronics Applications
Printed electronics and intelligence substrates have attracted great attention and
expanded rapidly during the past few years due to the high potential in the estimated
market. Typically, l exible electronic components and products are printed on plastic,
ceramics, silicon or paper substrates [200]. However, recently, researchers developed
novel CNCs-based nanocomposites for potential use for printed electronics applica-
tions. Torvinen
et al.
fabricated a smooth and l exible i ller-nanocellulose composite
by using calendering for possible replacement of oil-based plastic substrates. To inves-
tigate the ef ect of the type and shape of the i ller, two types of sheets such as kaolin
and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) were prepared showing smoother surface of
PCC-based sheets as compared to photopaper and having a similar level of plastic i lm
Mylar (as a reference). Also, the dimensional stability of prepared sheets was clearly
better than that of paper sheets. h e sheet resistances of conductors printed on kaolin-
based sheets were close to those printed on plastic Mylar A i lm [201] .
In this advancement, Penttila
et al.
[202] fabricated the composites of inorganic i ller
and CNCs as a substrate for printed electronics, and their structural properties were
studied by both an experimental and particle-level modeling approach. h e model
simulations predicted quite well the relative changes in measured density, porosity and
roughness of the kaolin and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) pigments, assuming
CNCs i ll voids of the structure. h e results showed higher roughness and conductiv-
ity of printed lines for kaolin than that of PCC. h e dif erences in conductivities were
investigated by using simulations where PCC showed more open surface pore structure
as compared to kaolin, leading to strong absorption of silver ink. h erefore, results
revealed that the smoothness of the surface is not the only factor, but the structural
property, i.e., porosity, is also relevant for good printing conductivity. An example of
printed conductor test pattern on i ller-NFC substrate is shown in Figure 15.12.
15.8.4
Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs)
Due to their high energy and power densities, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are highly
desirable in a wide range of applications, from portable devices to electric vehicles/
hybrid electric vehicles [203]. h ere has been great interest in the advancement of
polymer-based ion-conducting materials due to their application as an electrolyte and,
moreover, the high l exibility of polymers which facilitate the processing of batteries
of various sizes and geometries [101]. For this purpose, liquid and gel and solid elec-
trolytes have been conventionally used in electrochemical devices such as lithium-ion
batteries for low- and high-temperature applications [204]. At high temperatures, liq-
uid and gel electrolytes are not stable and ot en leak, exposing such devices to loss of
long-term stability. In such low modulus electrolytes, the growth of lithium dendrites
is promoted, leading to a short circuit in the lithium battery, and in the end heating up
