[Graphene] - Sustainable graphene paste for flexible devices

The rising demand for portable electronics, e-textiles, and iot devices has driven the need for lightweight technologies and miniaturized energy storage solutions. Graphene-based nanomaterials are at the forefront of extensive research due to their chemical stability, high surface area, strength, flexibility, and superior thermal and electrical conductivity.
Supercapacitors, Known for their fast-loading rats, long lifespan, and simple structure, are Becoming Essential for Energy Storage in Electronics, Electric Vehicles, and Biomedical Devices. They operate by storing charges through the adsorption and desorption of ions at electrode interfaces, achieving power densities over 10,000 W/kg. Microsupercapacitors, which are smaller and lighter versions, are particularly followed for portable and wearable electronics, offering even high power densities.
The High Electrical Conductivity and Surface Area of ​​Specific Graphne Materials Make Them Ideal for these Applications. However, Current Production Methods Present Toxicity and Scalabibility from that have limited their widespread use. Additionally, the materials need to comply with the requirements of technical deposition to guaranto reasonable production throughput.
NOW, inl researchers have developed a sustainable approach to produce an electrically conductive, graphene-based pasteable for for flexible fabricating devices.
The results are postponed in the newspaper Nano Energy ("Sustainable Graphene Production for Solution-Prèssed Microsupercapacitors and Multipurpose Flexible Electronics"), in a Paper by inl researchers, in Collaboration with Colleagues from Sapienza University of Rome and Instituto Superior Tecnico in Lisbon. The Work Demonstrates An Innovative Method for Scalable, Cost-Effective, and Environmentally Friendly Production of High-Quality Graphine Materials, Paving the Way for Advanced Applications in Energy Storage and Flexible Electronics. Siva Sankar Nemala, Research Fellow at Inl and First Author of the Paper, Explains the Methodology, “Our Approach is based on the Exfoliation of Graphite in Water by Using High-Shear Mixing and High-Pressure Airless SPRAY Techniques, Which Are Carefully Optimed To Obtain Concentrated and Stable Dispersions of graphene.
“These microsupercapacitors Demonstrate very high capacitance and Energy Density, Providing Exceptional Coulombic Effecticcy and Cyclabibility (~ 99% after 10,000 cycles), Mechanical Flexibility, and the possibility of Serial/Parallel Integration Without Metal-Based Interconnects for High-voltage and High-Capacitance Outputs.
CAPASSO FURTHER NOTIKS, “We have developed a one-kind-fits-all paste for innovative electronic devices that can be fabricated by low-cost techniques such as blade coating and screen printing, Making has meaningful step towards production.”
The Versatility and Broad Application Potential Of This Nanocarbon-Based Paste Have Demonstrated by the Researchers, Who Fabricated An Array of Different Devices, included Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Coatings and Reliable Wearable Strain Sensors Integrated In Textiles.