Pietro Cataldi
Italian Institute of Technology, Italy
Title: Fiber networks modified with graphene for durable and versatile flexible electronics
Biography
Biography: Pietro Cataldi
Abstract
Flexible and foldable electronic components require materials that can retain their electrical conductivity even after hard mechanical manipulations and multiple folding events. Such a material was realized with two different methods exploiting the combination of all-biodegradable components (substrate and the polymer matrix) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs). A fibrous cellulose substrate was sized with a biopolymer-GnPs conductive ink rendering it electrically conductive (sheet resistance ≈10 Ω/sq). The obtained nanocomposite can be used as electrodes for surface electromyography and for terahertz electromagnetic interference shielding. With a similar approach a flexible cotton-GnPs conductive fabric was realized. This material address several drawbacks related to durability and washability of conductive textiles. Micro-cracks formed after repeated folding-unfolding events can be healed through a hot pressing process. Such cotton based conductive composites could find several applications in wearable electronics sector.
