(575c) Carbon Coated Nanocellulose Conductive Films for Flexible Electronic Applications

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the preparation of thin conductive films due to their lightweight and flexibility for applications in a wide range of electronic devices, packages, and connections. Current environmental concerns require industries, particularly the electronics industry, to find alternative methods and materials for the fabrication of various essential components. In addition, for commercial viability, the alternative materials must be inexpensive and the methods of fabrication must be simple and cost effective.

In our work, nanocellulose, a renewable and green material has been chosen as the base material for the films due to its strength and availability. In order to fabricate conductive films, the cellulose nanofibres were mixed with nanosized carbon-black particles. Both components were dispersed in water and made into films via a film casting method. For best results, the carbon particles should not just be dispersed but coated onto the cellulose fibres. The highly conductive films and insulating pure cellulose films can be fabricated layer by layer to build variable electrical capacitors which can be used as electrostatic transducers and energy harvesters. The morphology, conductivity, and durability of the films is being optimized. The films are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for morphological, mechanical, and thermal analysis. The film conductivity is characterized using a Keithley 2701 multimeter to perform four probe measurements.

 This research is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)- University of Guelph- (Bioeconomy for Industrial Uses Program); OMAFRA-New Directions Research Program 2009; the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) Research Excellence (RE) Round-4 from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovations (MEDI).