Polymer-bridged MXene/polypyrrole nanocomposite electrodes for mechanically durable flexible RF antennas

초록

A polymer-bridged MXene/polypyrrole (MXene/PPy) nanocomposite electrode was developed for a screenprinted low-frequency flexible RF antenna by combining in situ polymerization with direct pattern fabrication. In this system, PPy was introduced into the MXene framework to improve intersheet contact and structural stability under repeated deformation. To identify the optimum composition, pure MXene, pure PPy, and MXene/ PPy composite electrodes were systematically compared in terms of electrical, dielectric, RF, and mechanical durability characteristics. Among the investigated compositions, the optimized MP-3 electrode exhibited the most favorable overall balance of properties, with a sheet resistance of 177.8 Omega sq- 1, a real permittivity of 6.68, and an imaginary permittivity of 1.44. A 20 & times; 20 mm2 antenna fabricated using the MP-3 electrode showed a return loss of -36.2 dB and a radiation efficiency of 50.24%, indicating effective RF operation under the present design and feeding conditions. The antenna also maintained measurable RF performance after repeated bending up to 10,000 cycles, demonstrating good mechanical durability. These results show that stable RF antenna operation can be achieved in a printed MXene/conducting-polymer composite system through a balanced combination of microstructural connectivity, dielectric response, impedance-related behavior, and mechanical stability. The present study therefore provides a useful material and fabrication strategy for mechanically durable flexible RF antenna electrodes for wearable and IoT-related applications.

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