Abstract
Recent developments in liquid-phase processing of carbon nanomaterials have established graphene as a promising candidate for printed electronics. Of great importance in the ink formulation is the stabilizer, which has to provide excellent dispersion stability and tunability in the liquid state, and also decompose into chemical moieties that promote high electrical conductivity and robust mechanical and environmental stability. Here we demonstrate the promise of nitrocellulose as a synergistic polymer stabilizer for graphene inks. Graphene processed with nitrocellulose is formulated into inks with viscosities ranging over 4 orders of magnitude for compatibility with a wide range of deposition methods. Following thermal treatment, the graphene/nitrocellulose films offer high electrical conductivity of ∼40 000 S/m, along with mechanical flexibility. Moreover, in contrast to state-of-the-art graphene inks based on ethyl cellulose, the nitrocellulose residue offers superior mechanical and environmental stability as assessed by a suite of stress tests, including the Scotch tape test, a water sonication test, and an 85/85 damp heat test. By exploring the fundamental chemistry underlying these macroscopic benefits, we provide insight into binder selection for functional nanomaterial inks while producing a high-performance graphene ink with strong potential for printed and flexible electronics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2332-2340 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Chemistry of Materials |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 14 2017 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Materials Chemistry
Cite this
Enhanced Conductivity, Adhesion, and Environmental Stability of Printed Graphene Inks with Nitrocellulose. / Secor, Ethan B.; Gao, Theodore Z.; Islam, Ahmad E.; Rao, Rahul; Wallace, Shay G.; Zhu, Jian; Putz, Karl W.; Maruyama, Benji; Hersam, Mark C.
In: Chemistry of Materials, Vol. 29, No. 5, 14.03.2017, p. 2332-2340.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhanced Conductivity, Adhesion, and Environmental Stability of Printed Graphene Inks with Nitrocellulose
AU - Secor, Ethan B.
AU - Gao, Theodore Z.
AU - Islam, Ahmad E.
AU - Rao, Rahul
AU - Wallace, Shay G.
AU - Zhu, Jian
AU - Putz, Karl W.
AU - Maruyama, Benji
AU - Hersam, Mark C
PY - 2017/3/14
Y1 - 2017/3/14
N2 - Recent developments in liquid-phase processing of carbon nanomaterials have established graphene as a promising candidate for printed electronics. Of great importance in the ink formulation is the stabilizer, which has to provide excellent dispersion stability and tunability in the liquid state, and also decompose into chemical moieties that promote high electrical conductivity and robust mechanical and environmental stability. Here we demonstrate the promise of nitrocellulose as a synergistic polymer stabilizer for graphene inks. Graphene processed with nitrocellulose is formulated into inks with viscosities ranging over 4 orders of magnitude for compatibility with a wide range of deposition methods. Following thermal treatment, the graphene/nitrocellulose films offer high electrical conductivity of ∼40 000 S/m, along with mechanical flexibility. Moreover, in contrast to state-of-the-art graphene inks based on ethyl cellulose, the nitrocellulose residue offers superior mechanical and environmental stability as assessed by a suite of stress tests, including the Scotch tape test, a water sonication test, and an 85/85 damp heat test. By exploring the fundamental chemistry underlying these macroscopic benefits, we provide insight into binder selection for functional nanomaterial inks while producing a high-performance graphene ink with strong potential for printed and flexible electronics.
AB - Recent developments in liquid-phase processing of carbon nanomaterials have established graphene as a promising candidate for printed electronics. Of great importance in the ink formulation is the stabilizer, which has to provide excellent dispersion stability and tunability in the liquid state, and also decompose into chemical moieties that promote high electrical conductivity and robust mechanical and environmental stability. Here we demonstrate the promise of nitrocellulose as a synergistic polymer stabilizer for graphene inks. Graphene processed with nitrocellulose is formulated into inks with viscosities ranging over 4 orders of magnitude for compatibility with a wide range of deposition methods. Following thermal treatment, the graphene/nitrocellulose films offer high electrical conductivity of ∼40 000 S/m, along with mechanical flexibility. Moreover, in contrast to state-of-the-art graphene inks based on ethyl cellulose, the nitrocellulose residue offers superior mechanical and environmental stability as assessed by a suite of stress tests, including the Scotch tape test, a water sonication test, and an 85/85 damp heat test. By exploring the fundamental chemistry underlying these macroscopic benefits, we provide insight into binder selection for functional nanomaterial inks while producing a high-performance graphene ink with strong potential for printed and flexible electronics.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85015694453&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b00029
DO - 10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b00029
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85015694453
VL - 29
SP - 2332
EP - 2340
JO - Chemistry of Materials
JF - Chemistry of Materials
SN - 0897-4756
IS - 5
ER -