Viscosity-Controllable Graphene Oxide Colloids Using Electrophoretically Deposited Graphene Oxide Sheets.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Colloid Chemistry

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) possesses desirable properties like water solubility and tunable electrical characteristics, making it suitable for electronic inks.
• Controlling the viscosity of GO colloids is crucial for versatile printing applications in electronics.
• Existing methods for GO colloid modification may not be rapid or efficient enough for industrial needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid and simple method for fabricating viscosity-increased graphene oxide (VIGO) colloids.
• To investigate the effect of electrophoretically deposited GO sheets (EPD-GO) on GO colloid viscosity.
• To assess the potential of VIGO colloids as inks for flexible and printed electronics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of VIGO colloids by mixing GO with EPD-GO sheets.
• Systematic variation of GO colloid concentration, applied voltage, and deposition time during EPD.
• Characterization of GO and VIGO colloids using chemical and structural analysis techniques.

Main Results:

• Viscosity of GO colloids significantly increased with higher GO concentration, applied voltage, and deposition time.
• EPD-GO sheets, with their parallel stacked structure, are responsible for the enhanced viscosity.
• The developed method is rapid and simple, yielding stable VIGO colloids.

Conclusions:

• A straightforward and efficient method for producing high-viscosity GO colloids (VIGO) has been established.
• The enhanced viscosity is attributed to the incorporation of parallel-aligned EPD-GO sheets.
• These VIGO colloids are promising candidates for advanced inks in flexible and printed electronics manufacturing.