Sulfated nanocellulose (SNC) with excellent electronegativity and high surface charge density was prepared due to the sulfate groups on the cellulose chain. SNC was used as an efficient dispersant to prepare poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) dispersions by in-situ polymerization and non-covalently disperse single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), respectively. The obtained PEDOT:SNC dispersions exhibited controllable conductivity, high stability with less dispersant and even good redispersibility. The resulting SWCNT-SNC dispersions were extremely stable and redispersible, with the high dispersion limit of 80 wt% SWCNTs. In addition, the two types of dispersions both showed excellent printing suitability on a variety of substrates, proving their great potential to be applied as conductive ink for electronic circuit printing. Meanwhile, based on the outstanding film forming ability of SNC, high performance PEDOT:SNC and SWCNT-SNC nanocomposite films can be fabricated from the corresponding dispersions directly. The obtained nanocomposite films not only had good mechanical and electrical properties, but also displayed outstanding thermal management performance and highly sensitive characteristic response to external stimuli.
 

Sulfated nanocellulose; PEDOT; Single-walled carbon nanotubes; Conductive inks; Sensors