Conductive cotton fabric through thermal reduction of graphene oxide enhanced by commercial antioxidants used in the plastics industry

Abstract

Abstract: Electrical conductivity was imparted to a cotton fabric through thermal reduction of graphene oxide. The reduction was enhanced by commercial antioxidants used in the plastics industry. The cotton fabric was coated with GO by the padding method and dipped in antioxidant solution. After drying, the antioxidant assisted reduction of GO was conducted at 220 °C in air. The electrical properties and hydrophobicity of thus-modified fabric were examined. The structure of materials was analyzed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Application of the antioxidants permitted to reach lower values of surface electrical resistivity of the fabric. After the reduction all fabric samples became hydrophobic. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]