Nano graphene platelet-based conductive inks

• US 20100000441A1
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Global Graphene Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Graphene Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Zhamu, Aruna, Jang, Bor Z.
• Application Number:
  US12/215,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20100000441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 106/31.13
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/037 characterised by the pigment
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/102 containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions other than those only involving unsaturated carbon-to-carbon bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/30 Inkjet printing inks
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/38 characterised by non-macromolecular additives other than solvents, pigments or dyes
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/52 Electrically conductive inks
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/04 mainly consisting of carbon-silicon compounds, carbon or silicon
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0212 Printed circuits or mounted components having integral heating means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0259 Electrostatic discharge [ESD] protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/097 Inks comprising nanoparticles and specially adapted for being sintered at low temperature H05K1/095 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0245 Flakes, flat particles or lamellar particles
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0323 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10098 Components for radio transmission, e.g. radio frequency identification [RFID] tag, printed or non-printed antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0092 comprising electro-conductive pigments, e.g. paint, ink, tampon printing

Abstract

A nano graphene platelet-based conductive ink comprising: (a) nano graphene platelets (preferably un-oxidized or pristine graphene), and (b) a liquid medium in which the nano graphene platelets are dispersed, wherein the nano graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 0.001% by volume based on the total ink volume. The ink can also contain a binder or matrix material and/or a surfactant. The ink may further comprise other fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-fibers, metal nano particles, carbon black, conductive organic species, etc. The graphene platelets preferably have an average thickness no greater than 10 nm and more preferably no greater than 1 nm. These inks can be printed to form a range of electrically or thermally conductive components.

Claims

1. A nano graphene platelet-based conductive ink that is printable, comprising:

(a) nano graphene platelets wherein each of the platelets comprises a graphene sheet or multiple graphene sheets and the platelets have a thickness no greater than 100 nm, and

(b) a liquid medium in which said nano graphene platelets are dispersed, wherein said nano graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 0.001% by volume based on the total ink volume.

2. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein the graphene platelets have an average thickness less than 10 nm.

3. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein the graphene platelets have an average thickness no greater than 1 nm.

4. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein the nano graphene platelets comprise a non-oxidized graphene platelet.

5. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a surfactant and/or a binder material.

6. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a surfactant and/or a binder material.

7. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a binder or matrix material selected from a thermoplastic, a thermoset resin, a conductive organic substance, a petroleum or coal tar pitch, or a combination thereof.

8. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein the graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 3% by volume based on the total ink volume.

9. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 2 wherein the graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 10% by volume based on the total ink volume.

10. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein the graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 40% by volume based on the total ink volume.

11. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 further comprising carbon nanotubes in an amount of less than 5% by volume based on the total conductive ink volume.

12. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 further comprising carbon nanotubes in an amount of less than 1% by volume based on the total conductive ink volume.

13. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a conductive additive selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-fibers, carbon black, fine graphite particles, nano-scaled metal particles, conductive organic species, and combinations thereof.

14. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ink is inkjet printable.

15. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ink is screen printable.

16. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein a viscosity of said ink is less than 500 mPaS.

17. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein a viscosity of said ink is less than 100 mPaS.

18. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein a viscosity of said ink is less than 30 mPaS.

19. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein a viscosity of said ink is less than 200 PaS and said ink contains no less than 20% by volume of nano graphene platelets.

20. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ink, after printing onto a solid substrate to form a solid component, provides a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/(mK).

21. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ink, after printing onto a solid substrate to form a solid component, provides a thermal conductivity of at least 100 W/(mK).

22. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ink, after printing onto a solid substrate to form a solid component, provides a thermal conductivity of at least 200 W/(mK).

23. A nano graphene platelet-based conductive ink that is printable, comprising:

(a) nano graphene platelets that have an average thickness no greater than 10 nm, and

(b) a liquid medium in which said nano graphene platelets are dispersed, wherein said nano graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 0.001% by volume based on the total ink volume.

24. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 23 further comprising a surfactant and/or a binder material.

25. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 23 wherein said ink is inkjet printable and a viscosity of said ink is less than 500 mPaS.

26. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 23 further comprising a conductive additive selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-fibers, carbon black, fine graphite particles, nano-scaled metal particles, conductive organic species, and combinations thereof.

27. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 23 wherein said ink, after printing onto a solid substrate to form a solid component, provides a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/(mK).

28. A nano graphene platelet-based conductive ink that is printable, comprising:

(a) non-oxidized or pristine nano graphene platelets, and

(b) a liquid medium in which said nano graphene platelets are dispersed, wherein said nano graphene platelets occupy a proportion of at least 0.001% by volume based on the total ink volume.

29. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 28 further comprising a surfactant and/or a binder material.

30. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 28 wherein said ink is inkjet printable and a viscosity of said ink is less than 500 mPaS.

31. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 28 further comprising a conductive additive selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-fibers, carbon black, fine graphite particles, nano-scaled metal particles, conductive organic species, and combinations thereof.

32. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 28 wherein said ink, after printing onto a solid substrate to form a solid component, provides a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/(mK).

33. The conductive ink as set forth in claim 28 wherein said ink, after printing onto a solid substrate to form a solid component, provides a thermal conductivity of at least 100 W/(mK).