High flexible additively manufactured nanocomposite textiles with desirable thermoelectric properties

Abstract 3D printing can be a promising approach for depositing polymers onto textiles. Printable materials with good mechanical flexibility; can be used for wearable thermoelectric devices that convert body heat energy into electricity. In this research, first, polypropylene filament was produced. The produced polypropylene filament was printed on polypropylene fabric with different parameters of printing speed, the number of layers, layer thickness, deposition angle, and extruder temperature. A peeling test evaluated the adhesion strength of polymer layers printed on polypropylene fabric. The results showed that a single layer printed with the average printing speed (50 mm/min), the highest extruder temperature (194°C), the medium layer thickness (0.3 mm), and the deposition angle Equal to a Zero degree had a higher peeling force. The cross‐sectional morphology of the printed layer on the fabric; was also investigated by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). To achieve thermoelectric properties, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/copper oxide nanoparticles/polypropylene nanocomposite filament were produced and printed on the fabric by a 3D printer using FDM technology. The mechanical properties of the filaments; were investigated, and filaments were characterized by FE‐SEM, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimeter. Then the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of nanocomposite filaments and printed layer on the fabric were measured. The electrical conductivity of the masterbatch, the nanocomposite filament, and the printed layer; was 1.667 × 5 −10 s/cm, 2.586 × 6 −10 s/cm, and 3.42 × 7 −10 s/cm, respectively. Also, the Seebeck coefficient of masterbatch, the filament, and the polymer layer printed on the fabric; were 489, 430, and 220 μv/k, respectively.