Exfoliation Of Graphite Research Articles

Multifunctional Graphene–Polymer Nanocomposite Sensors Formed by One-Step In Situ Shear Exfoliation of Graphite

Graphene nanocomposites are a promising class of advanced materials for sensing applications; yet, their commercialization is hindered due to impurity incorporation during fabrication and high costs. The aim of this work is to prepare graphene–polysulfone (G−PSU) and graphene–polyvinylidene fluoride (G−PVDF) nanocomposites that perform as multifunctional sensors and are formed using a one-step, in situ exfoliation process whereby graphite is exfoliated into graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) directly within the polymer. This low-cost method creates a nanocomposite while avoiding impurity exposure since the raw materials used in the in situ shear exfoliation process are graphite and polymers. The morphology, structure, thermal properties, and flexural properties were determined for G−PSU and G−PVDF nanocomposites, as well as the electromechanical sensor capability during cyclic flexural loading, temperature sensor testing while heating and cooling, and electrochemical sensor capability to detect dopamine while sensing data wirelessly. G−PSU and G−PVDF nanocomposites show superior mechanical characteristics (gauge factor around 27 and significantly enhanced modulus), thermal characteristics (stability up to 500 °C and 170 °C for G−PSU and G−PVDF, respectively), electrical characteristics (0.1 S/m and 1 S/m conductivity for G−PSU and G−PVDF, respectively), and distinguished resonant peaks for wireless sensing (~212 MHz and ~429 MHz). These uniquely formed G−PMC nanocomposites are promising candidates as strain sensors for structural health monitoring, as temperature sensors for use in automobiles and aerospace applications, and as electrochemical sensors for health care and disease diagnostics.

Solvent-derived Fluorinated Secondary Interphase for Reversible Zn-graphite Dual-ion Batteries.

The irreversibility of anion intercalation-deintercalation is a fundamental issue in determining the cycling stability of a dual-ion battery (DIB). In this work, we demonstrate that using a partially fluorinated carbonate solvent can drive a beneficial fluorinated secondary interphase layer formation. Such layer facilitates reversible anion (de-)intercalation processes by impeding solvent molecule co-intercalation and the associated graphite exfoliation. The enhanced reversibility of anion transport contributes to the overall cycling stability for a Zn-graphite DIB - a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.5% after 800 cycles, with an attractive discharge capacity of 156 mAh g-1 and a mid-point discharge voltage of ≈1.7 V (at 0.1 A g-1). In addition, the formed fluorinated secondary interphase suppresses the self-discharge behavior by preserving 29 times of the capacity retention rate after standing for 24 hours, compared to the battery with a commonly used carbonate solvent. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for addressing the critical challenges in graphite-based DIBs and contributes to fundamental understanding to help accelerate their practical application.

Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphene Oxide for Simple Fabrication of Cocaine Aptasensors.

Transducers made from graphene-type materials are widely used in sensing applications. However, utilization of graphene oxide obtained from electrochemical exfoliation of graphite (EGO) has remained relatively unexplored. In this study, electrochemical cocaine aptasensors based on large-size EGO flakes were investigated. In particular, the influence of the following parameters on the sensor performance was examined: (i) aptamer's terminal group (-NH2 vs -OH), (ii) functionalization of EGO with the aptamer via physical adsorption and covalent immobilization, and (iii) intrinsic electrochemical properties of EGO such as the electrochemical surface area (ESA) and standard rate constant of electron transfer (k0). The results demonstrate that EGO-based electrochemical aptasensors fabricated by physical adsorption with an NH2-modified aptamer have very good reproducibility, shelf-life stability, and high sensitivity for detecting cocaine with a detection limit of 50 nM. Their performance is comparable to that of the aptasensors prepared using the covalent immobilization. Additionally, it is shown that EGO materials with high ESA and k0 can enhance the sensing performance. The fast (less than 10 min) and strong adsorption of the NH2-modified cocaine aptamer on the surface of large EGO flakes makes the fabrication of the sensing platform simple and rapid. This simple approach has the potential to simplify the fabrication of sensors.

Continuous Production of Functionalized Graphene Inks by Soft Solution Processing.

The continuous production of high-quality, few-layer graphene nanosheets (GNSs) functionalized with nitrogen-containing groups was achieved via a two-stage reaction method. The initial stage produces few-layer GNSs by utilizing our recently developed glycine-bisulfate ionic complex-assisted electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. The second stage, developed here, uses a radical initiator and nitrogen precursor (azobisisobutyronitrile) under microwave conditions in an aqueous solution for the efficient nitrogen functionalization of the initially formed GNSs. These nitrile radical reactions have great advantages in green chemistry and soft processing. Raman spectra confirm the insertion of nitrogen functional groups into nitrogen-functionalized graphene (N-FG), whose disorder is higher than that of GNSs. X-ray photoelectron spectra confirm the insertion of edge/surface nitrogen functional groups. The insertion of nitrogen functional groups is further confirmed by the enhanced dispersibility of N-FG in dimethyl formamide, ethylene glycol, acetonitrile, and water. Indeed, after the synthesis of N-FG in solution, it is possible to disperse N-FG in these liquid dispersants just by a simple washing-centrifugation separation-dispersion sequence. Therefore, without any drying, milling, and redispersion into liquid again, we can produce N-FG ink with only solution processing. Thus, the present work demonstrates the 'continuous solution processing' of N-FG inks without complicated post-processing conditions. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of N-FG is presented.

Fabrication and characterization of Ag coated Al2O3/GNs reinforced Cu nanocomposites for renewable energy applications

The utilization of renewable energy has become increasingly significant recently, yet it encounters great challenges. The present study focuses on enhancing the performance of copper-based nanocomposites for wind energy applications by achieving a desirable combination of wear resistance and electrical properties. The investigation explores the effects of graphite exfoliation and silver reinforcement coating on the properties of the composite. Cu–Ag-(C/Al2O3) nanocomposites are fabricated, varying the percentage of Al2O3 from 0 to 12.5% in increments of 2.5%. The study involves physical, electrical, mechanical, and tribological analyses, along with extensive metallography using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and mapping. The results demonstrate significant enhancements in the composite properties with higher percentages of Al2O3, up to a limit of 10%. The inclusion of a hybrid reinforcement consisting of 10% Al2O3 and 5% exfoliated graphene, along with a 20% silver coating, results in a lighter-weight Cu-composite with 98% of the electrical conductivity of copper (IACS). Moreover, this composite exhibits the highest hardness (365 HV), which is six times greater than the hardness of the composite without the reinforcement (60 HV). The composite containing 10% Al2O3 exhibits the lowest wear rate (3.5 × 10−6 (mm3/m)), while the composite without Al2O3 demonstrates the highest wear rate (6.7 × 10−6 (mm3/m)). Metallographic analysis confirms the formation of graphene through exfoliation. The presence of graphene not only improves the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) stability due to its lubricating effect but also enhances the electrical conductivity of the composites when combined with the silver reinforcement coating.

Surprising Dependence of the Exfoliation of Graphite During Formation on Electrolyte Composition

Graphite is the most used lithium intercalation host for the negative electrode of the lithium-ion battery. Extensive research has been carried out to achieve high Coulombic Efficiency (CE) and long cycle life for the graphite anode. Here, LFP/graphite (graphite from Vendor 1) cells that undergo formation at 40 °C with either 1.2 M LiPF6 dissolved in ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate (EC:DMC), or ethylene carbonate:ethylmethyl carbonate (EC:EMC) have excellent first cycle efficiency (FCE). However, when the formation is done at 20 °C, EC:EMC and ethylene carbonate:diethyl carbonate (EC:DEC) cells show much reduced FCE while EC:DMC cells retain high FCE. We prove by a variety of experiments that the reduced FCE is caused by solvent co-intercalation. We explore the impact of temperature, different graphites, electrolyte additives, and varied salt content on this effect. We show that basic additives, such as vinylene carbonate, are sufficient to eliminate the co-intercalation. With a well-designed electrolyte system containing additives, graphites that show co-intercalation in the absence of additives perform equivalently or better than graphites that do not show co-intercalation in the absence of additives.

In English

In presented work we have reported that polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is suitable organic solvent for mechanical exfoliation of crystalline graphite to graphene in aqueous solution through kitchen blender technique. Morphological, structural and optical, properties of graphene samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman scattering and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates folded morphology of graphene flakes with ~4 nm thickness. Raman scattering was revealed the high-quality graphene with low levels of defects after the exfoliation process of graphite/PVP dispersions. The G band at ~1582 cm−1 on Raman spectra is related with stretching vibrations of carbon atoms. The broadening of the G band is not observed, that indicated on absence of the basal plane defects in the graphene structure, which can be introduced during exfoliation by the kitchen blender. The ratio of the intensity of 2D and G bands equal to 1.66 (I2D/IG>1) and the value of 2D band full width at half maximum is 79.88 cm–1, indicated a few-layer graphene (FLG) structure. The defects quantity identified by the intensity ratio of the D and G bands, ID/IG is 0.18, significantly lower than that reported for graphene oxide with basal plane defects (> 1) and for sonication dispersed graphene (~ 0.6). The graphene dispersions were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, minimum transmittance observed at around 270 nm is attributed to the π→π* transitions of aromatic C–C bonds in graphene. The optical transmittance minimum and the overall high transmittance decreasing values observed between 270 and 800 nm strongly suggest the presence of two-dimensional material in the dispersion, thus confirming the successful exfoliation of graphite to graphene by blending. We demonstrate the simple and nontoxic method to product high-quality FLG sheets, free from defects, using a kitchen blender and eco-friendly polyvinylpyrrolidone as an organic exfoliant.

Bridging Electrochemistry and Ultrahigh Vacuum: "Unburying" the Electrode-Electrolyte Interface.

ConspectusElectrochemistry has a central role in addressing the societal issues of our time, including the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond. At a more basic level, however, elucidating the nature of electrode-electrolyte interfaces is an ongoing challenge due to many reasons, but one obvious reason is the fact that the electrode-electrolyte interface is buried by a thick liquid electrolyte layer. This fact would seem to preclude, by default, the use of many traditional characterization techniques in ultrahigh vacuum surface science due to their incompatibility with liquids. However, combined UHV-EC (ultrahigh vacuum-electrochemistry) approaches are an active area of research and provide a means of bridging the liquid environment of electrochemistry to UHV-based techniques. In short, UHV-EC approaches are able to remove the bulk electrolyte layer by performing electrochemistry in the liquid environment of electrochemistry followed by sample removal (referred to as emersion), evacuation, and then transfer into vacuum for analysis.Through this Account, we highlight our group's activities using UHV-EC to bridge electrochemistry with UHV-based X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS/UPS) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We provide a background and overview of the UHV-EC setup, and through illustrative examples, we convey what sorts of insights and information can be obtained. One notable advance is the use of ferrocene-terminated self-assembled monolayers as a spectroscopic molecular probe, allowing the electrochemical response to be correlated with the potential-dependent electronic and chemical state of the electrode-monolayer-electrolyte interfacial region. With XPS/UPS, we have been able to probe changes in the oxidation state, valence structure, and also the so-called potential drop across the interfacial region. In related work, we have also spectroscopically probed changes in the surface composition and screening of the surface charge of oxygen-terminated boron-doped diamond electrodes emersed from high-pH solutions. Finally, we will give readers a glimpse into our recent progress regarding real-space visualizations of electrodes following electrochemistry and emersion using UHV-based STM. We begin by demonstrating the ability to visualize large-scale morphology changes, including electrochemically induced graphite exfoliation and the surface reconstruction of Au surfaces. Taking this further, we show that in certain instances atomically resolved specifically adsorbed anions on metal electrodes can be imaged. In all, we anticipate that this Account will stimulate readers to advance UHV-EC approaches further, as there is a need to improve our understanding concerning the guidelines that determine applicable electrochemical systems and how to exploit promising extensions to other UHV methods.

Heterogenity of graphite oxide particles obtained with wet oxidative exfoliation

Wet oxidative exfoliation of graphite is one of the most frequently applied techniques to obtain aqueous dispersions of hydrophilic graphene derivatives as required, e.g., in 3D printing, wet spinning or film casting. Due to the harsh conditions of the process, the resulting suspension is a mixture of particles with a wide distribution range both of physical dimensions and chemical properties. An aqueous graphite oxide suspension was obtained by an improved Hummers method and separated into five fractions by controlled centrifugation. The fractions were characterized and compared by various methods, revealing their diversity in size, chemical properties and application-related viscosity. The characterization methods (powder XRD, Raman spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, potentiometric titration, rheology) exhibited subtle but measurable differences that exceeded the standard deviation of the techniques employed, but no systematic trend was found across the fractions in any of the properties investigated. The conditions of our centrifugal separation hardly meet the constrains of the ideal of Stokes’s law, the polydispersity of the high aspect ratio particles as well as their concentration close to the percolation limit challenge the independent sedimentation of the platelets.

Computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method simulation of stirred tank reactor for graphene production

Liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) process for graphene production is usually carried out in stirred tank reactor and the interactions between the solvent and the graphite particles are important as to improve the production efficiency. In this paper, these interactions were revealed by computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method (CFD-DEM) method. Based on simulation results, both liquid phase flow hydrodynamics and particle motion behavior have been analyzed, which gave the general information of the multiphase flow behavior inside the stirred tank reactor as to graphene production. By calculating the threshold at the beginning of graphite exfoliation process, the shear force from the slip velocity was determined as the active force. These results can support the optimization of the graphene production process.

Self-standing tridimensional structures from crumpling techniques made with composite films of polylactic acid and exfoliated graphite

Obtaining three-dimensional porous materials for different applications, has required complex methods to achieve the desired structure. Crumpling is an alternative to develop three-dimensional structures by randomly folding a sheet of material and offering a simple yet effective method to generate a unique, stiff and lightweight three-dimensional structure with minimal processing. Here, composite films made from polylactic acid (PLA), and exfoliated graphite (EG) were elaborated using solvent casting method. Additional pore formation is achieved adding calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles as porogen. Films were characterized to corroborate the integration of exfoliated graphite to the PLA matrix as well as crystallinity changes due to EG and CaCO3 particles. Microscopy help to identify pore formation after CaCO3 remotion. Tensile tests, after increasing EG concentration in PLA, corroborate the formation of stiffer films with lower tensile strength, while pore formation decreased tensile strength and Young's modulus. After adding 0.5% wt. of EG, tensile strength partially recovered while Young's modulus was maintained. Composite films allowed to obtain 3D crumpled structures. Tests under compression help finding that 0.5% wt. of EG in PLA matrix resulted in a yield strength (26.6 MPa) and Younǵs modulus (32.5 MPa) increase, making necessary the application of considerable force to deform them.

ACTUAL METHODS OF ELECTROCHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT

In this work, we have studied the methods of electrochemical processing of materials in order to give them new functional properties. Experimental data on the production of corrosion-resistant coatings based on Zn-Ni and Zn-Co alloys from ammonium oxalate electrolytes and the study of their protective properties are presented. The questions of electrochemical production of carbon nanomaterials by anodic exfoliation of graphite in sulfuric acid electrolytes are considered. The influence of the dispersed phase of electrochemically exfoliated graphite on the electrodeposition of tin from sulfate and stannate electrolytes has been established. The influence of the additive on the aging of tin coatings and their ability to solderability was studied. Data are given on the effect of chloride ions in a solution of chemical polishing of brass on solderability. For citation: Shekhanov R.F., Gridchin S.N., Bratkov I.V., Ershova T.V., Dontsov M.G. Actual methods of electrochemical surface treatment. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2023. V. 66. N 7. P. 151-158. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20236607. 6841j.

Physicochemical characterization of a low-oxygen composite based on chitosan and electrochemically exfoliated graphene

Chitosan and graphene composites are widely used as biological scaffolds. Aside from environmental concerns related to the Hummer's synthesis the composite obtained contains significant amounts of oxygen and other residues, besides the agglomerate formation. In this work, a few-layer graphene obtained by electrochemically exfoliation of graphite was designed and made up with chitosan forming a uniform composite showing a low oxygen content. The amide group formation and crystallographic data were used as an index of composite dispersion. Electrochemically exfoliated graphene presented higher crystallinity degree and uniform crystallite size conferring a homogeneous dispersion of the nanofiller in the chitosan matrix. Chemical interactions between the electrochemically exfoliated graphene and chitosan allowed a high carbon C/O ratio of 14.63 shown by XPS analysis, which gives the high conductivity value, desirable for several purposes.

Large-scale Production and Application of Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles to Meet Agriculture Needs

The success of the agricultural sector is crucial to the whole world's prosperity. Reducing hunger and poverty and enhancing food security and nutrition have all made great strides in recent decades. Improvements in resource efficiency and food safety brought about by productivity and technical gains have not been shared fairly. Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects of the current global food production system on the environment and climate with the aid of technological advancements. Nanotechnology can be integrated into the agricultural sciences as "nano agriculture", to provide solutions that are more accurately boost production without negatively impacting the environment. Among a range of nanoparticles, graphene oxide (GO) has found diverse application in electronics, optics, medicine, and supercapacitors. Due to its adaptability, it is also crucial in many critical biological contexts. Graphene oxide has a range of potential uses in industries as diverse as agriculture, technology, and food production. Nanoencapsulation of nutrients, smart-release systems, novel packaging, smart water treatment systems for various kinds of microorganisms and pollutants, pesticide and insecticide detection and analysis, and other kinds of detection systems are all possible applications of this versatile material. It may also be a part of fertilizer or used as a plant growth stimulant. In the GO market, yield is a major concern. With so much focus on graphene, it is essential to produce GO nanoparticles in large quantities. A possible method for industrial-scale graphene manufacturing is the oxidative exfoliation of graphite. This review outlines few cost effective strategies to mass-produce GO for use in agriculture.

Effect of stirring on characteristics of electrochemically exfoliated graphene

Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite is a promising technique for the synthesis of graphene at a commercial scale. Electrochemical synthesis of graphene at high voltage (∼10 V) is widely reported. However, at high voltage, multilayer graphene platelets with high defect concentration are produced. In this study, high quality graphene nanoplatelets consisting of 1–5 layers were produced at low voltage (3–4 V) using KOH solution as electrolyte. The effect of electrolyte stirring on the characteristics of graphene was studied. The stirring of electrolyte during electrolysis showed profound effect on the characteristics of graphene. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that the stirring of electrolyte increased the average size of graphene nanoplatelets to 360 nm from 253 nm (without stirring). Raman spectroscopy indicated the presence of 1–5 layers of carbon atoms and the same was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A decrease in the defect concentration was noted with the increase in number of layers of carbon atoms in graphene produced with stirring.

Graphene vs. carbon black supports for Pt nanoparticles: Towards next-generation cathodes for advanced alkaline electrolyzers

The development of efficient and cost-effective water splitting electrolyzers is a fundamental step to support the achievement of climate neutrality by using renewable energy sources to produce green H2 as a form of clean fuel. In this work, we investigated Pt-based nanostructured cathodes for high-performance alkaline electrolyzers (AELs), showing the beneficial effect of graphene over traditional carbon black as nanocatalysts support. By relying on a water-based, scalable, synthetic method, surface-cleaned Pt nanoparticles were successfully produced and strongly anchored to defect-free graphene flakes, the latter produced through wet-jet milling exfoliation of natural graphite. Once deposited on conventional gas diffusion layers, Pt/graphene catalysts outperform traditional Pt on Vulcan (Pt/C) in terms of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and performance durability. The two-dimensional morphology of graphene flakes strongly retains the catalysts in the electrode even in the absence of any binder, while intrinsically ensuring the exposure of the catalytic sites for the HER. This rationale enables the fabrication of high-performance AELs based on Pt/graphene cathodes. By using commercially available cost-effective anodes (stainless-steel meshes), our AELs reached current densities of 1 A cm−2 at a voltage of as low as 1.71 V. These AELs can even operate up to more than 2 A cm−2 (e.g., 2.2 A cm−2 at 1.90 V), with stable performance during accelerated stress tests. Our study discloses two main aspects: (1) graphene is an effective conductive support for 1–10 nm-scale catalysts for the development of nanostructured cathodes with elevated catalytic properties and durable performance; (2) the use of efficient nanostructured cathodes can boost the AEL's performance to state-of-the-art values reported for proton-exchange membrane electrolyzers, avoiding the use of expensive anodes (e.g., Ir-based ones).

Investigation of the Pore Structure of Exfoliated Graphite Based on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite Nitrate

Graphite intercalated compounds (GICs) with different stage numbers were prepared from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and nitric acid using a chemical method. Exfoliated graphite (EG-T) was synthesized from GICs by water treatment followed by thermal shock. The effects of the graphite oxidation depth on the EG-T thermal expansion coefficient, volatile content, and total porosity were examined. However, the main purpose of this work was investigation of the dependence of the inner EG-T pore structure on the level of oxidation. Thus, we studied the micro- and mesopore structure and specific surface area by nitrogen porosimetry and the modern 2D-NLDFT method to calculate the pore size distribution and pore volume. As well, we performed a mercury porosimetry experiment to determine the macropore characteristics. We examined the pore space using a number of scanning electron micrographs of EG-T particle cross-sections using an image processing technique. In this way we showed the strong correlation between the EG-T pore structure parameters and oxidation depth of graphite.

A review on exfoliated graphite: Synthesis and applications

A review on exfoliated graphite: Synthesis and applications

Electrolytic exfoliation of few-layer graphene/sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate for coin- and cylindrical-cell supercapacitor electrodes

Electrolytic exfoliation of graphite is a promising way to produce graphene quickly, inexpensively, and in an environmentally friendly manner. In this research, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), a commonly used anionic surfactant, was dissolved in 1 M H2SO4 to produce SDBS-graphene via electrolytic graphite exfoliation. The AFM analyses validated the thickness of few-layer of SDBS-graphene between 5 and 15 nm. Then, a symmetric coin-cell (CR2032) supercapacitor (SC) comprised of SDBS-graphene and rGO (synthesized via Hummer's method) was assembled with 0.5 M H2SO4 as an electrolyte. The highly exfoliated SDBS-graphene demonstrated a greater capacitive electrochemical response than rGO. The CV and GCD techniques revealed that the specific capacitance of SDBS-graphene was 150 F g−1 at 0.25 A g−1 with 20.4 Wh kg−1 of energy density and 494 W kg−1 of power density and that its percentage capacitive retention remained 95 % after 10,000 cycles at 3 A g−1, compared to the specific capacitance of reduced graphene. In addition, a cylindrical cell SC (CR32650) with SDBS-graphene demonstrated a capacitance of 220 F at 100 mA, along with an energy density of 33 kWh and a power density of 55 kW. This suggests that exfoliated SDBS-graphene may be utilized in SCs with high efficiency and long-term durability.

Conductive Filament Composites from Waste Battery Rod-Derived Exfoliated Graphite for Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing: A Two-Level Factorial Design Optimization Study

This study used carbon rods from spent zinc-carbon batteries as a source of exfoliated graphite (EG) to produce conductive filament composites for fused deposition modeling 3D printing. The EG filler was prepared through microwave irradiation, while the resulting 3D printable electroconductive EG composites were prepared using polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the polymer matrix and compatibilizer, respectively, via a sonication-assisted solution blending and melt extrusion process. A two-level full factorial design was employed to fully investigate the influence of filament production parameters such as EG loading, PEG:PLA ratio, and sonication time on the resistivity (i.e., conductivity-1) of the prepared composites. Analysis of variance showed that both EG loading and sonication time had significant effects on the resistivity of the composites. The optimum electrical resistivity of the new EG filament composites was found to be 916.418 Ω-cm (maximum conductivity = 1.091 x10-3 S/cm) at EG loading = 45 % w/w, PEG:PLA ratio = 1:10, and sonication time = 2 hours. The conductivity of the 3D printed composites was also correlated with EG amount by the power law model of percolation theory, resulting in an electrical percolation threshold at around 35 % w/w of EG. Our filament composites enable the fabrication of high-value conductive materials from waste resources for sustainable additive manufacturing in the electronics industry.