UV-Curing PUA Ink with Polymerizable Surfactant-Enhanced MXene for Fabricating a Durable Conductive Coating on the Cotton Surface

Abstract

In this study, MXene dispersion was prepared with the assistance of a polymerizable surfactant ammonium allyloxy nonylphenol ethoxylate. Its influence on the performance of MXene was studied by FTIR, XRD, and XPS analyses. Then, this enhanced MXene was blended with a curable polyurethane acrylate (PUA) resin to formulate a conductive ink, which was pressed onto the cotton substrate through a screen printing method. In a sustainable UV-curable way, the ink was firmly attached to form a durable conductive coating. By measuring the water contact angle, the influence of DNS-86 on the properties of the cured film was analyzed, suggesting that the DNS-86 molecules would react with PUA during the UV-curing process to enhance the integrity of the photocured film. What’s more, the influence of DNS-86 on the durability of coatings to wet and mechanical treatment was tested. The results revealed that DNS-86 could enhance the binding forces between the cotton substrate and conductive coatings, making them more resistant to corrosion in different environments.