Carbon nanomaterials-Based Inks and Electrodes Using Chitin Nanocrystals.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional methods for dispersing 1D carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) use surfactants or organic solvents, posing environmental risks and affecting material properties.
• Developing eco-friendly, waterborne CNM inks is crucial for sustainable advanced material processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) as a green dispersing agent for various 1D CNMs in waterborne inks.
• To characterize the properties of CNM/ChNC inks and their derived conductive films.
• To evaluate the impact of ChNCs on the electrical and electrochemical performance of CNM-based films.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ChNCs via acid hydrolysis.
• Formulation of waterborne inks by mixing ChNCs with single-walled carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers.
• Characterization of CNM/ChNC ink properties.
• Fabrication of conductive films using spray-coating.
• Thermal treatment of films to remove ChNCs.
• Electrochemical testing of the films using redox probes.

Main Results:

• ChNCs effectively dispersed various 1D CNMs in waterborne inks.
• Spray-coated films exhibited enhanced electrical conductivity after ChNCs were removed via thermal treatment at 450 °C.
• The removal of ChNCs improved the electrochemical performance, including Faradaic charge transfer efficiencies and kinetics.

Conclusions:

• Chitin nanocrystals serve as a sustainable processing aid for carbon nanomaterials.
• This approach yields conductive films with enhanced electrochemical properties suitable for diverse applications.
• The ChNC-assisted method offers a greener alternative to traditional CNM dispersion techniques.