Preparation of carbon-based conductive inks for printed electronic devices

• Grant number: 22/05053-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: October 29, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota
• Grantee: João Paulo Vita Damasceno
• Supervisor: Mario Caironi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/06604-9 - Conductive inks based on carbon nanomaterials for the preparation of electrodes applied to electrochemical devices, BP.PD

Abstract

Conductive inks are composed of conductive materials dispersed in liquid media, additives such as solvents to adjust their rheological properties, and stabilizers, which contribute to ink stability, increase material concentration and also contribute to improving rheological behavior. However, additives and stabilizers are usually insulating molecules or macromolecules that negatively affect electrical performances and limit for the applicability of conductive inks. Moreover, the need for additives such as toxic organic solvents create potential health and environmental risks, while more sustainable and environmentally friendly inks are necessary. In this context, this project aims at innovative formulations of carbon-based inks reducing the amount of organic solvents required and exploiting benign ones, as well as achieving conductive inks that can be used without treatments after deposition. Carbon materials are electrical conductors and have remarkable electronic properties, both important characteristics for conductive inks. The minimal use of solvents will be reached by performing very controlled surface modifications on the surface of carbon particles, which will provide stronger interactions with water and polar solvents without decreasing too much the electrical conductivity of the materials. After adjusting the rheological properties, these inks will be deposited by inkjet printing and the resulting electrodes will be extensively characterized by spectroscopies, microscopies and electrical measurements. The best formulations will be tested for the realization of electrodes in different printed electronic devices, such as transistors, energy harversting devices and biosensors thanks to the large competence in this field of the hosting institution. This project has the potential to contribute to greener printed electronics and to novel and less toxic conductive inks. (AU)