Flash graphene and poly(o-methoxy aniline) for the composition of a solvent-based conductive ink

Abstract

Conductive inks are essential components in electronics as they enable the printing of electronic circuits and components on diverse surfaces. Furthermore, they can be easily tailored to enhance chemical bonding with specific targets in sensing devices. This technology plays a crucial role in the development of both rigid and wearable sensors. Conductive inks for printed electronics and sensor devices should possess several key characteristics, including high conductivity, flexibility, affordability, and compatibility with various substrates. However, conventional conductive inks based on metal nanoparticles tend to be expensive and lack flexibility. This study aims to produce a conductive ink comprised of carbon-black-derived flash graphene (CBFG) and poly(o-methoxy aniline) (POMA), which can be applied to electronic devices. The structures and morphology of both precursors were assessed, and the electrical conductivity of ink coatings containing CBFG, POMA, and a combination of both was investigated. The effect of each component's concentration on the ink's electrical conductivity (EC) was investigated using a 23 factorial design of experiment. In conclusion, the most conductive film presented an EC of approximately 0.768 S m−1 when the concentrations of graphene, POMA, and binder were 40.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg L−1, respectively. While further research is needed to explore the flexibility and adhesion properties of the ink on different substrates, our solvent and organic-based conductive ink offer environmental benefits and boost sensor performance.