Electrophoretic deposition of graphene, carbon nanotubes and composites using aluminon as charging and film forming agent

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method has been developed for the deposition of carbon nanotube, graphene, TiO2 and composite films. The method is based on the use of aluminon as an organic charging agent. It was found that aluminon can be used as a common dispersing and charging agent for different materials. Aluminon offers advantages of pH dependent charge, pH dependent solubility and exhibits good film forming properties. The film deposition from aluminon solutions was studied potentiodynamically and at constant voltage deposition conditions. The deposition yield was studied by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The films were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis (DTA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The method allows co-deposition of different materials and control of deposit composition. The deposition mechanism is discussed.

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► Aluminon was used as organic dispersing agent for electrophoretic deposition.
► Aluminon can be used for efficient dispersion of different materials.
► Graphene, carbon nanotubes, titania and composites were deposited.
► Aluminon offers advantages of pH dependent charge and solubility.
► Aluminon exhibits film forming properties.