Laser-induced graphene composite adhesive tape with electro-photo-thermal heating and antimicrobial capabilities

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) and its composites have been demonstrated to be useful in broad-reaching ap-plications such as water and air filtration and sensors. A main advantage of LIG is the embedding of conformal graphene foam in any design into polymeric substrates. However, embedded LIG must be detached from the substrate for a composite nanomaterial, and delamination of LIG has been demonstrated. Here, we incorporated LIG as a composite into a double-sided tape using pressure-sensitive adhesives and delamination from the sub-strate, and demonstrated its use for electro-photo-thermal applications, including bacterial inactivation. LIG was transferred onto thermally conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive containing carbon black, and a double-sided sticky tape was prepared by sandwiching perforated tissue adhesive between two LIG layers, giving enhanced electrical conductivity in the x, y, and z directions compared to commercial carbon tape. The LIG composite tape showed excellent electrothermal properties with a maximum temperature > 120 C at 10 V and a temperature rise > 70 C under 120 mW/cm(2) solar irradiation. The same electrothermal activity was observed after 50 heating and cooling cycles and reached a temperature of-111 C. Bacterial inactivation was observed on the surface of the LIG composite tape at-3.5 V, and electro-and photothermal effects caused sterilization of the surfaces up to 99.99%. These electrically conductive LIG composite adhesive tapes might be used in electronic applications for heating surfaces at low voltages (< 9 V) or to prevent surface biofilm or microbial growth.

Automated summary

Laser-induced graphene composite tape, with the addition of pressure-sensitive adhesives and delamination, demonstrates excellent electro-photo-thermal properties, making it suitable for electronic heating and sterilization applications.