Hybrid Copper-Silver-Graphene Nanoplatelet Conductive Inks on PDMS for Oxidation Resistance Under Intensive Pulsed Light.

Abstract

A simple, low-cost, and reliable process of production for conductive tracks and their transfer to poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate has been proposed. Flexible electrodes were fabricated using conductive nanoparticulates under intensive pulsed light, which were then transferred on to a PDMS substrate via a pouring, curing, and peeling process. The combination of copper-silver nitrate-graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) provided multiple benefits to the conductive tracks, such as oxidation resistance and increased durability on PDMS. The addition of silver nitrate reduced the speed of oxidation during the curing process of PDMS in the presence of heat and air. The addition of GnPs then increased the stability of conductive tracks on PDMS, whereas the films without GnPs were not conductive on PDMS due to mechanical cracks. The copper-silver-GnP electrodes on PDMS were successfully demonstrated as flexible electrodes and reveal the enhancement of oxidation resistance during thermal oxidation for Joule heater application.