Date:
January 8, 2015
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
A resilience to extreme
conditions by the most transparent, lightweight and flexible material
for conducting electricity could help revolutionize the electronic
industry, according to a new study
A resilience to extreme conditions by the most transparent, lightweight
and flexible material for conducting electricity could help
revolutionize the electronic industry, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have discovered that
GraphExeter -- a material adapted from the 'wonder material' graphene --
can withstand prolonged exposure to both high temperature and humidity.
The research showed that the material could withstand relative
humidity of up to 100 per cent at room temperature for 25 days, as well
as temperatures of up to 150C -- or as high as 620C in vacuum.
The previously unknown durability to extreme conditions position
GraphExeter as a viable and attractive replacement to indium tin oxide
(ITO), the main conductive material currently used in electronics, such
as 'smart' mirrors or windows, or even solar panels. The research also
suggests that GraphExeter could extend the lifetime of displays such as
TV screens located in highly humid environments, including kitchens.
These research findings are published in the scientific journal, Scientific Reports, on 8 January 2015.
Lead researcher, University of Exeter engineer Dr Monica Craciun
said: "This is an exciting development in our journey to help
GraphExeter revolutionize the electronics industry.
"By demonstrating its stability to being exposed to both high
temperatures and humidity, we have shown that it is a practical and
realistic alternative to ITO. This is particularly exciting for the
solar panel industry, where the ability to withstand all weathers is
crucial."
Dr Saverio Russo, also from the University of Exeter, added: "The
superior stability of GraphExeter as compared to graphene was unexpected
since the molecules used to make GraphExeter (that is FeCl3) simply
melt in air at room temperature.
"Having a metallic conductor stable at temperatures above 600C, that
is also optically transparent and flexible, can truly enable novel
technologies for space applications and harsh environments such as
nuclear power centrals."
At just one atom thick, graphene is the thinnest substance capable of
conducting electricity. It is very flexible and is one of the strongest
known materials. The race has been on for scientists and engineers to
adapt graphene for flexible electronics. This has been a challenge
because of its sheet resistance, which limits its conductivity.
In 2012 the teams of Dr Craciun and Profesor Russo, from the
University of Exeter's Centre for Graphene Science, discovered that
sandwiched molecules of ferric chloride between two graphene layers make
a whole new system that is the best known transparent material able to
conduct electricity. The same team have now discovered that GraphExeter
is also more stable than many transparent conductors commonly used by,
for example, the display industry.
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