A novel method to prepare conductive nanocrystalline cellulose/graphene oxide composite films

• Integration of nanocrystalline cellulose onto graphene based electronic devices.
• Change of morphology and wettablity from separated to aggregated cellulose nanocrystals.
• Change of conductivity when an electric current passes through the NCC/GO composite.

In this study nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC)/graphene oxide (GO) composite films were prepared by drop casting water dispersion of GO in the presence of CNC and their nanostructures, surface and electrical properties were investigated. It was found that pristine hydrophilic GO presents a good dispersion when mixed with CNC along with a decrease of the composite electrical resistivity. The surface properties of the composite film indicated a poorer wettability with respect to that measured for separated materials. By applying an electric current through the CNC/GO composite a transition from an electrically insulating material to a conductive one was observed along with an improved wettability. The obtained results open an easy route for paper electronic based on the integration of nanocrystalline cellulose onto graphene devices.

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