Rational Design of Printable Carbon Nanotube Transparent Conductive Films via Data‐Driven and Mechanistic Insights

ABSTRACT Achieving controlled dispersion and assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a fundamental challenge that underpins their broad application in electronics, optics, and energy storage devices. Transparent conductive films (TCFs) used in touch panels and flexible electronics serve as a model system for highlighting the importance of dispersion‐state engineering. Despite their excellent electrical and optical properties, CNTs are difficult to exfoliate into fine bundles without introducing structural damage, particularly under scalable, solution‐based processing. In this study, we present a data‐guided strategy for the rational design of CNT dispersions. By combining machine learning models trained on exfoliation datasets with molecular simulations and solubility parameter analysis, we identify effective solvent systems for use with an acidic polymer dispersant. This approach enables a mild, non‐sonication process that preserves CNT length and structural integrity, yielding uniform networks. The resulting CNT TCFs exhibit high crystallinity (G/D > 160), low sheet resistance (35 Ω sq −1 at 90.2% transmittance), and fine‐line printability below 20 µm. This work demonstrates how data‐driven and mechanistic insights into dispersion can be leveraged to produce printable, high‐performance CNT films. Moreover, the methodology offers a versatile framework for scalable, industrially relevant CNT dispersion and assembly, with broad applicability to nanomaterials processing and solvent‐processed device fabrication.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-01-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202524038
Primary Topic
Nanomaterials and Printing Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Rational Design of Printable Carbon Nanotube Transparent Conductive Films via Data‐Driven and Mechanistic Insights

Shun Muroga, Don N. Futaba, Makoto Yoneya, Takeo Yamada et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Nanomaterials and Printing Technologies
article

Rational Design of Printable Carbon Nanotube Transparent Conductive Films via Data‐Driven and Mechanistic Insights

Shun Muroga, Don N. Futaba, Makoto Yoneya, Takeo Yamada, Ying Zhou, Kenji Hata, Reiko Azumi, Ken‐ichi Nomura
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving controlled dispersion and assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a fundamental challenge that underpins their broad application in electronics, optics, and energy storage devices. Transparent conductive films (TCFs) used in touch panels and flexible electronics serve as a model system for highlighting the importance of dispersion‐state engineering. Despite their excellent electrical and optical properties, CNTs are difficult to exfoliate into fine bundles without introducing structural damage, particularly under scalable, solution‐based processing. In this study, we present a data‐guided strategy for the rational design of CNT dispersions. By combining machine learning models trained on exfoliation datasets with molecular simulations and solubility parameter analysis, we identify effective solvent systems for use with an acidic polymer dispersant. This approach enables a mild, non‐sonication process that preserves CNT length and structural integrity, yielding uniform networks. The resulting CNT TCFs exhibit high crystallinity (G/D > 160), low sheet resistance (35 Ω sq −1 at 90.2% transmittance), and fine‐line printability below 20 µm. This work demonstrates how data‐driven and mechanistic insights into dispersion can be leveraged to produce printable, high‐performance CNT films. Moreover, the methodology offers a versatile framework for scalable, industrially relevant CNT dispersion and assembly, with broad applicability to nanomaterials processing and solvent‐processed device fabrication.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 36(19)
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (JP)
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Openalex Percentile: Top 81%
Nanomaterials and Printing Technologies
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