A novel UV-curable molecular-modified graphene oxide for high-resolution printed electronics

Abstract

The development of graphene-based materials with good light-curing ability and excellent electrical conductivity is the key to next-generation electronic devices. Herein, we demonstrate the molecular structure modification of photocurable graphene oxide (PGO) by reacting hydroxyl groups with isocyano groups, which is referred to as grafting of the photosensitive group on pristine GO, resulting in photosensitive PGO flakes that can be photocured during 3D printing using water as a solvent and a developer. Complex-shaped and highly precise 2D and 3D structures of GO as well as thin single-layer or few-layer GO films are obtained by optimizing the concentration and photocuring parameters of the PGO precursor. After thermal reduction of PGO microarchitectures, the reduced cross-linked GO (rCGO) exhibits a minimum square resistance of 213.74 mΩ sq−1, which is similar to that of graphene. Moreover, rCGO demonstrates excellent cell compatibility during cell culture experiments and superior hydrophilicity. The latter property can be exploited to prepare solution-based detection electrodes. The proposed strategy is used to print circuits and 3D bulk conductors, and can facilitate the formation of various electronic devices via photocuring 3D printing or photolithography process.