Production of highly electro-conductive cellulosic paper via surface coating of carbon nanotube/graphene oxide nanocomposites using nanocrystalline cellulose as a binder

Electro-conductive cellulosic paper has attracted great attention as a promising alternative material in the emerging field of flexible and portable electronic devices. However, the environmentally friendly fabrication of electro-conductive cellulosic paper still remains challenging. Herein, green multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites towards the sustainable development strategy were developed and subsequently used to impart electro-conductivity to cellulosic paper via surface coating process. GO exfoliated from graphite powder was used as a dispersant to improve the dispersion of MWCNTs in water media, and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) derived from cotton fibers was employed as a binder for the MWCNT/GO nanocomposites. Effect of NCC amount on the rheological behavior, particle size distribution, sedimentation stability and zeta potential of MWCNT/GO nanocomposites as well as the electro-conductivity and mechanical properties of coated paper was investigated. Results demonstrated that NCC enhanced the dispersion of MWCNT/GO nanocomposites in addition to serving as a binder. Surface coating application of MWCNT/GO nanocomposites was found to impart high electro-conductivity of up to 892 S m(-1) to the cellulosic paper while improving its mechanical properties.