Scalable high-performance graphene paper with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties

Publication date: 30 June 2017
Source:Thin Solid Films, Volume 632
Author(s): Keon-Woo Kim, Jae Hong Kim, Sunghun Cho, Kwonwoo Shin, Se Hyun Kim
An efficient synthetic route to scalable high-performance graphene paper (G-paper) with high conductivity and excellent mechanical and chemical stabilities has been demonstrated. This paper-like electrode material comprises a poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VB-co-VA-co-VAc)) copolymer adhesion layer and water-dispersible graphene (WDG) active material. A highly conductive, ductile, and mechanically robust G-paper was obtained using the Meyer rod coating method. The P(VB-co-VA-co-VAc) copolymer played an important role in smoothing the G-paper surfaces, resulting in enhanced conductivity of the G-paper. Moreover, the copolymer enhanced the mechanical stability of the G-paper through its strong hydrogen bonding interactions with WDG sheets and cellulose molecules. The as-prepared G-paper coated with P(VB-co-VA-co-VAc) exhibited low sheet resistance (115Ω/sq), high tensile strength (37.2MPa), good bending stability, and excellent acid-base resistance.