Strongly Conductive Coating: Titanium Dioxide Enhances Graphene Dispersion through Coδ+ Self-Transformation Valence

Abstract

Automotive lightweighting is essential for enhancing the fuel efficiency of new energy vehicles. Consequently, the challenges associated with electrostatic spraying propel advancements in the conductive primers field. In this study, Co-T/G powder materials were prepared in this study using a simple hydrothermal method combined with an electrostatic self-assembly technique. The Co^δ+-Ti-C conductive chemical bond was formed by introducing Co²⁺ and graphene, which disrupted the strong ionic bond of Ti-O. As a result, the Co-T/G powder materials exhibited improved electrical conductivity, with the lowest resistance stabilized at 0.051 Ω·cm. The powder material is stirred with the gum liquid (PVDF and NMP co-mingled) to make a slurry and coated on the acrylic sheet substrate, with a coating resistance as low as 10.11 Ω·cm. The analysis confirms that the oxygen vacancy achieves self-stabilization while destabilizing TiO₂ by promoting Co^δ+ valorization. Co^δ+ facilitates graphene dispersion, thereby exposing the active sites for forming Co^δ+-Ti-C chemical bonds. Additionally, graphene enhances the electron transport capability by positively influencing the electron-leap pathway through p-n heterojunction. Consequently, Co-T/G powder fillers are anticipated to be utilized in developing conductive coatings on insulator surfaces, facilitates a diverse array of applications for insulators.