Publication
Printed electronics offers a pathway to low-cost, flexible, and scalable device manufacturing by enabling direct patterning of functional materials on diverse substrates. However, current ink systems-typically based on silver nanoparticles or polymers-are costly, limited in functionality, and require thermal post-processing, reducing compatibility with flexible or heat-sensitive substrates. To address these limitations, interest is growing in novel inks based on 2D materials like graphene and MXene, which offer high conductivity, mechanical flexibility, ambient-processability, and potential for sustainable synthesis. Nonetheless, challenges remain in ink formulation and scalable process integration to fully realize their potential. Since the discovery of graphene, 2D materials have gained broad attention for their outstanding electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Their thin structure, high aspect ratio, and tunable surface chemistry make them well-suited for printed electronics, where conductivity, film formation, and printability are essential. Many, including graphene and MXene, can be synthesized from abundant precursors and processed in solution without stabilizers or thermal treatment, enabling sustainable, additive-free inks. However, scalable use is still hindered by low-yield synthesis, hazardous reagents, and unstable dispersions. Addressing these issues requires formulation strategies that ensure ink stability, environmental safety, and compatibility with printing processes. This thesis addresses key challenges by advancing both material design and printing process integration for scalable, high-resolution patterning of nanomaterials. New synthesis and exfoliation strategies were developed for graphene and MXene to produce stable, additive-free inks using environmentally friendly solvents. These inks were tailored for compatibility with microstructured cavities and ambient-condition printing, eliminating the need for toxic additives or thermal curing. In parallel, gravure printing was investigated as a scalable, high-precision method for transferring functional inks at sub-10 µm resolution. Using laser-engraved cylinders, the study systematically explores how ink properties, cavity geometry, and process parameters influence coverage, resolution, and defect formation-laying the foundation for a sustainable high-resolution printing platform. Chapter 1 introduces the theoretical and technological background, emphasizing the need for scalable printing platforms and functional inks based on 2D materials. Chapter 2 focuses on graphene, evaluating ultrasonication, high-shear mixing, and combined exfoliation to optimize yield, energy efficiency, and flake quality. Chapter 3 presents a sustainable MXene ink formulation using organic solvents and energy-assisted etching to reduce waste and improve yield, while also incorporating byproduct reuse. Chapter 4 investigates gravure printing using laser-fabricated microcavities, analyzing how