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ABSTRACT
Direct ink writing is an innovative technique developed to replace traditional fabrication techniques, such as lithography, for flexible electronics. Herein, a novel ternary cadmium sulfide quantum dot-doped reduced graphene oxide-bismuth oxide (CrGB) heterojunction semiconductor material was prepared via an in situ hydrothermal technique. After that, an electroconductive ink consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and CrGB was prepared. The ink was used to fabricate a flexible circuit using nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) paper. The circuit exhibited excellent conductivity of 3900 S cm−1. Furthermore, the recyclability and biodegradation of the circuit suggest the feasibility of constructing low-cost and environmentally benign materials and devices.
HIGHLIGHTS
An in situ hydrothermal technique was used to prepare CrGB heterojunction semiconductor nanocomposites with different loadings (wt.%) of Bi2O3 nanoparticles was done successfully.
Investigation of the influence of weight percent loadings of Bi2O3 and CdS QDs on the physicochemical, optoelectronic and electrical properties of the prepared nanocomposites was carried out. TEM micrograph of the CrGB semiconductor showed a dense and uniformly deposited particles of CdS QDs and Bi2O3 nanoparticles on the RGO interface.
A novel ternary electroconductive ink (CrGBC) was prepared from the mixture of CrGB nanocomposite and CNTs, which exhibited a significantly improved contact angle of 31°. Also, a flexible, transparent and biodegradable thin-film was prepared from NCC.
Fabrication of a recyclable and biodegradable smart electronic circuit, with the prepared ink and NCC thin-film as a substrate. This was further applied to light an LED bulb to confirm its conductivity properties.
Recyclability and biodegradation (using fungi) of the fabricated smart device was successfully done. This suggest the possibility of designing biofriendly and low-cost smart devices.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), National Research Foundation of South Africa, Eskom Tertiary Education Support Programme (TESP), and the UKZN Nanotechnology Platform South Africa for research support. We also appreciate the support of the UKZN NanoChemistry Research Group members. Thanks to Dr Edigar Muchuweni for proofreading the manuscript, Dr Solomon Uriri for assisting with AFM imaging, and Mr Femi Egbewale of the Discipline of Microbiology, UKZN Westville Campus, for assistance with the microbial analysis.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Supplemental data
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/25740881.2023.2252896
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Notes on contributors
Hassan O. Shoyiga
Dr. Hassan Shoyiga, is a Nanochemist and material science researcher. His expertise is on renewable energy, catalysis, conductive ink formulation, printed electronics and electrochemistry.
Bice S. Martincigh
Prof. Bice Martincigh is a physical chemist in the School of Chemistry and Physics. Her research is in the field of photochemistry, solution thermodynamics and environmental chemistry. She is a well-versed academic and has held Visiting Professorships at a number of renowned international Universities.
Vincent O. Nyamori
Prof Vincent O. Nyamori is a Professor and Academic Leader in the School of Chemistry and Physics. The Chair of the UKZN Nanotechnology Platform and the former President of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and an active member of the American Chemical Society (ACS). His area of research includes; Nanotechnology, Material Science, Green and Sustainable Chemistry.