Making conductive graphite ink involves combining conductive materials like graphite and carbon black with a binder and a solvent. Based on the provided reference, a specific formulation uses graphite, carbon black, nail polish as a binder, and acetone as a solvent.
Ingredients for Conductive Ink
The referenced method specifies the following materials and quantities to create a batch of conductive ink:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Graphite (GR) | 1.500 g | Primary conductive filler |
| Carbon Black (CB) | 0.500 g | Secondary conductive filler |
| Nail Polish (NP) | 2.250 g | Binder |
| Acetone | 5 mL | Solvent |
Note: These specific quantities and ingredients are derived directly from the provided reference.
Step-by-Step Preparation Process
Preparing the conductive ink using this method is a straightforward process involving mixing the components.
Here are the steps based on the reference:
- Combine Solids and Binder: Begin by mixing the dry conductive powders (graphite and carbon black) with the liquid binder (nail polish). Specifically, mix 1.500 g of graphite (GR), 0.500 g of carbon black (CB), and 2.250 g of nail polish (NP) together.
- Manual Mixing: Manually mix the initial combination of graphite, carbon black, and nail polish. The reference specifies using a glass stick for this mixing step.
- Add Solvent: Once the initial mixture is partially combined, add 5 mL of acetone to the blend.
- Homogenize: Continue mixing the solution after adding the acetone. Mix until the ink was completely homogenized. This ensures the conductive particles are evenly dispersed within the binder and solvent, creating a consistent ink suitable for application.
This process yields a basic conductive ink that can be applied to various surfaces for creating simple circuits or conductive traces. The properties of the ink, such as conductivity, viscosity, and drying time, will depend heavily on the specific types and quality of the materials used and the thoroughness of the mixing process.
