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Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are a high-performance material system that could enable new wearable sensors and electronics, but traditional fabrication methods face scalability and performance challenges. In this work, we utilize liquid metal printing to produce ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) indium tin oxide (ITO) films with superior microstructural, optical, and electrical properties compared to conventional techniques. We investigate the dynamics of grain growth and its influence on conductivity and the optical properties of 2D ITO, demonstrating the tunability through annealing and multilayer deposition. Additionally, we develop Au-decorated transparent electrodes, showcasing their adhesion and flexibility, low contact impedance, and biocompatibility. Leveraging the transparency of these electrodes, we enable enhanced simultaneous multimodal biosignal acquisition by integrating biopotential-based methods, such as electrocardiogram (ECG) or bioimpedance sensing (e.g., impedance plethysmography, IPG), with optical modalities like photoplethysmography (PPG). This study establishes CLMP-fabricated flexible 2D TCOs as a versatile platform for advanced bioelectronic systems and multimodal diagnostics.
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This content will become publicly available on December 11, 2025
Scalable Fabrication of Flexible Two-Dimensional Indium Tin Oxide via Continuous Liquid Metal Printing
Abstract— In this study, we present continuous liquid metal printing (CLMP) to produce flexible and transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) layers compatible with plastic substrates with low glass transition temperatures. By leveraging the low melting point of an indium-tin (In-Sn) alloy, we achieve spontaneous two-dimensional (2D) oxide growth at low temperatures, following Cabrera-Mott (CM) oxidation kinetics. A robotically controlled roller deforms the molten alloys, depositing a thin native oxide (ITO) via van der Waals adhesion across large areas (approximately 1200 cm²) in mere seconds. The printed 2D ITO is highly crystalline with large plate-like grains with an average size of 55 nm. They demonstrate low resistivity (approximately 714 μΩ⋅cm) and transparency (>92% in visible light) with an optical bandgap of 3.71 eV. Mechanical testing reveals superior adhesion, 2X greater bendability, and 3X better scratch resistance of flexible 2D ITO. Finally, we demonstrate an application towards flexible transparent electrocardiogram electrodes based on flexible 2D ITO.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2202501
- PAR ID:
- 10604922
- Publisher / Repository:
- 2024 IEEE International Flexible Electronics Technology Conference (IFETC)
- Date Published:
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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