Easy, Efficient Strategy To Make Graphene-Based Conductive Ink

Conductive ink is the primary component of all printed electronic devices and circuit boards, creating the basic structure for integrated low-resistance circuits and contact electrodes. However, manufacturing a graphene-based conductive ink with good conductance and distribution stability in water remains a significant difficulty. 

Easy, Efficient Strategy To Make Graphene-Based Conductive Ink

Study: Facile Synthesis of Ag/Carbon Quantum Dots/Graphene Composites for Highly Conductive Water-Based Inks. Image Credit: wacomka/Shutterstock.com

A recent study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces focuses on the production of a remarkably conductive silver/carbon quantum dots/graphene (Ag/CQD/G) nanocomposite for manufacturing water-based conductive ink.

What is a Conductive Ink?

Conductive ink is essential in the production of stretchable electronic equipment. A high-performance conductive ink must have exceptional conductance, adherence to the substrate, and durability. Depending on the substance used in its production, the conductive ink can be either metal-based or carbon-based.

Silver nanoparticles are presently the most extensively utilized materials for producing conductive ink because of their great electrical conductance and strong antioxidant characteristics. Silver materials, however, are highly costly, and silver diffusion is a severe problem that seriously affects the dependability of silver tracks.

Copper-based conductive ink is less costly and simpler to produce than silver-based conductive ink. However, it oxidizes readily, restricting its industrial applicability.

Conductive ink, made up of carbon-based nanostructures such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon black, can solve the challenges listed above and has attracted much interest due to its excellent mechanical and electrical characteristics.

Graphene-Based Conductive Ink: Applications and Limitations

Graphene is a highly promising carbon nanostructure for manufacturing conductive ink with conductance equivalent to silver ink. Furthermore, graphene-based conductive ink provides several benefits, including cheap cost, high stability, and broad application.

As a result, the creation of high-performance graphene-based ink can aid in advancing printed microelectronics.

Water-soluble graphene oxide (GO) is often employed as a raw ingredient for manufacturing graphene-based conductive ink due to its inexpensive cost and strong water degradability. However, converting pre-printed GO patterns to conducting patterns involves high temperatures and powerful reducing chemicals, restricting their use in wearable electronic devices.

Graphene nanosheets with pristine properties have better electrical characteristics than rGO. However, they tend to agglomerate due to pi-pi stacking and van der Waals contacts, making them challenging to employ in most solvents.

Improving Conductivity of Graphene-Based Inks

From an economical and ecological standpoint, it is critical to produce graphene-based nanomaterials with high conductance and strong dispersibility in water that are cost-effective, non-toxic, and durable under normal conditions.

Different agents and hydrophilic materials, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethyleneimine ethoxylated, have been observed to increase graphene solubility and durability in water-based solvents. However, these dispersion chemicals are difficult to remove entirely, resulting in poor conductance composites and environmental contamination.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which are amphiphilic semiconductors, can be deposited on the surface of graphene and dramatically increase its conductance and solubility in water.

Another feasible method for increasing the conductance of graphene-based conductive ink is to coat it with metal nanoparticles (NPs). Many silver (Ag) nanoparticles with various morphologies operate as nanoscale connections between graphene sheets, resulting in Ag/graphene composites with low contact resistance and increased capability for manufacturing a highly conductive ink.

Highlights and Key Developments of the Study

In this study, the researchers created a unique Ag/CQDs/G composite by in-situ photo-reduction of silver nitrate and layering silver onto graphene nanosheets to produce a highly conductive ink.

This is a simple and uncomplicated method for preparing Ag/CQDs/G composites, eliminating the need to reduce chemicals or high-temperature reduction procedures.

The as-prepared Ag/CQDs/G nanocomposite demonstrated high dispersibility and durability in water for 30 days. The introduction of Ag NPs to the Ag/CQDs/G nanocomposite resulted in a 97.2 percent drop in electrical resistance compared to simple graphene sheets. In addition, the produced Ag/ CQDs/G patterns had a low contact resistivity following rolling compression.

The as-prepared nanocomposite is a suitable filler for producing water-based conductive ink because of its strong water dispersibility and high electrical conductance. Furthermore, after 5000 bending cycles, the printed patterns demonstrated exceptional structural stability, paving the way for producing a range of high-performance adaptable electronic products, such as circuit boards and radio-frequency identification devices (RFIDs).

Reference

Gao, C. et al. (2022). Facile Synthesis of Ag/Carbon Quantum Dots/Graphene Composites for Highly Conductive Water-Based Inks. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.2c06298

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.

Hussain Ahmed

Written by

Hussain Ahmed

Hussain graduated from Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad with Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering. During his studies, he worked on several research projects related to Aerospace Materials & Structures, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Nano-technology & Robotics. After graduating, he has been working as a freelance Aerospace Engineering consultant. He developed an interest in technical writing during sophomore year of his B.S degree and has wrote several research articles in different publications. During his free time, he enjoys writing poetry, watching movies and playing Football.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Ahmed, Hussain. (2022, August 03). Easy, Efficient Strategy To Make Graphene-Based Conductive Ink. AZoNano. Retrieved on November 21, 2024 from https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=39506.

  • MLA

    Ahmed, Hussain. "Easy, Efficient Strategy To Make Graphene-Based Conductive Ink". AZoNano. 21 November 2024. <https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=39506>.

  • Chicago

    Ahmed, Hussain. "Easy, Efficient Strategy To Make Graphene-Based Conductive Ink". AZoNano. https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=39506. (accessed November 21, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Ahmed, Hussain. 2022. Easy, Efficient Strategy To Make Graphene-Based Conductive Ink. AZoNano, viewed 21 November 2024, https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=39506.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.