High conductivity and transparency of graphene-based conductive ink: Prepared from a multi-component synergistic stabilization method

Abstract

Graphene-based conductive ink has been widely applied to printed electronics, which nevertheless faces several challenges, e.g., dispersion and stability of graphene flakes and ideal compromise between conductivity and transparency. This work reveals a multi-component synergistic stabilization method towards a well-dispersed and stable graphene-based conductive ink with high conductivity and transparency. Commercially available graphene (<10 layers) material (KNG®-G2) was selected and ethanol/water (2/1, v/v) was used as co-solvent to disperse the graphene flakes. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, providing network for attaching of graphene through π-π force and amphipathic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone, acting as a surfactant were indispensable to stabilize conductive ink. The as-prepared graphene-based ink can be deposited on different substrates through drop-casting, spin-coating and inkjet-printing and the sheet resistance of the deposited films was tested as low as 180 Ω/sq with the optical transmittance of 90%. The method reported in this work is potential for industrial production toward a graphene composite conductive ink with high conductivity and transparency for printing electronic applications.