DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i4.105

Keywords: Conductive ink; epoxy; graphite; carbon black; polyethylene terephthalate

Abstract

Conductive ink printing is a novel approach in the electronics industry, offering notable electrical conductivity. Epoxy serves as the binder due to its compatibility with various curing agents and fillers, as well as its excellent adhesion. Graphite (G) and carbon black (CB) are ideal conductive fillers, enhancing both electrical conductivity and adhesive strength. Their synergistic interaction forms a continuous network that stabilizes electrical properties. This research focused on the effects of different G-CB ratios in epoxy-based conductive ink on electrical conductivity and adhesion when applied to a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. FTIR was used to detect functional groups, while FESEM examined the filler dispersion in the epoxy matrix. Conductivity was measured using a multimeter following ASTM F390 standards, and the Four-Point Probe (4PP) technique was applied according to ASTM F84. The optimal G-CB ratio of 1:2 yielded the best results, with a multimeter reading of 1.71 x 10⁻³ S/m and a 4PP reading of 3.44 x 10⁻³ S/m. Adhesion, assessed via a cross-cut test, also showed strong performance at this ratio, with no ink detachment. These results highlight the potential of this G-CB conductive ink formulation for printed electronics applications.