NanoGraphInk · Nano-Hybrid Graphene-Based Ink for Printable Flexible Transparent Applications
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-04-01 → 2019-03-31
- EU contribution
- €195,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
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Results in brief
Nano-Hybrid Graphene-Based Ink for Printable Flexible Transparent Applications
The stiff and brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) is by far the most widely used material for producing transparent conducting coatings for electronic devices. Nevertheless, as raw materials for ITO are becoming increasingly expensive and more importantly due to its rigidity, the industry today faces the challenge of replacing the conventional brittle ITO with a flexible, yet robust, transparent but also conductive material. Graphene combines the aforementioned properties, therefore it is considered as the most promising candidate for substituting ITO. Graphene consists of a two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal lattice made of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. The structure and hybridization of graphene result in its extraordinary mechanical properties and its high electrical and thermal conductivity, thanks to an extended conjugated system of π delocalized electrons. On the other hand, to date, the market of printed electronics is based on Ag inks/pastes. However, Ag can be expensive. Ag nanoparticles have poor adhesion, while other Ag forms, such as nanowires or flakes exhibit further processing difficulties and surface roughness. Printed Cu develops an insulating oxide layer, while other metals, carbon or polymers have average conductivity. Graphene has good conductivity and is emerging as a potential Ag substitute for printed electronics, to be used in wearable devices, e-paper, roll-up portable or/and transparent displays, etc. The overall objective of NanoGraphInk was the development of fully applicable and viable conductive nano-hybrid graphene-based inks and pastes for printable applications and device fabrication. In addition, aiming at non-toxic final products, emphasis was placed in developing inks and pastes based on environmentally friendly solvents such as water, alcohols, or further non-toxic organic media. By controlling composition, rheological properties, possible compatibility issues, and other parameters, these materials can be enabled for use in diverse industrial applications. Thus, given the cost of ITO for electronics and of Ag for printed electronics, NanoGraphInk aimed at the production of low-cost substitutes suitable for easily implementable, direct industrial application.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Aim: Development of conductive graphene ink for printed flexible transparent applications.State-of-the-art: Advancing of printed electronics via high quality graphene inks for highly flexible displays of higher energy class and better visibility, and next generation products as wearables and transparent displays.Innovation: First graphene/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene nanobuds conductive inks. Essential study to warrant that final printed circuits demonstrate zero nanoparticles emissions.Excellence: Exploitation of graphene’s unique properties. High interdisciplinary nature linking also directly research with industry.Capacities: I have multidisciplinary background, advanced skills and extensive experience in synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, excellent track record. Prof. Ferrari’s expertise ensures proper supervision. Cambridge possesses essential instrumentation and is excellent host institution. ""TheGrapheneBox"" secures commercialization of inks.Impact: Gain skills for advanced characterization techniques as TEM, recognized as an expert in graphene inks, raise my profile by joining Cambridge, expand my network. Dealing with the hot market of printed electronics, commercialized products will find a direct industrial use.Use of foreground: Proper dissemination/exploitation of results in form of conference participations, patents, commercialized products, and publications at high impact factor journals warranted by project’s excellence. Respect to intellectual property. Follow Horizon 2020 priority for open science. Rapid communication of the outcomes by a set of measures.Implementation: Solid work plan. Use of CQDs and functionalized fullerenes for graphene’s dispersion in water. Modifiers tuning ink’s features to acquire proper rheological properties and stable colloidal suspensions. Inkjet and roll-to-roll printing employed. Films integrated in devices evaluating their applicability. Proper tasks’ allocation and mitigation actions.""
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE · CAMBRIDGECoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union