Graphene inks for printing based on thermoresponsive ABC triblock terpolymer gels†

Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the fabrication of complex 3D materials. Hydrogels are commonly used as “inks” in 3D printing and offer easy mixing and processing of many materials. Here, the synthesis and characterization of a new library of thermoresponsive ABC triblock copolymers based on oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA, Molar Mass, MM = 300 g mol⁻¹, A block), 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (PhEMA, B block) and di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMA, C block) is reported. Polymers of different comonomer compositions were fabricated and investigated in terms of their aqueous solution properties and their ability to form thermogels. The most promising polymer was then used to fabricate a graphene-containing ink, and graphene constructs were successfully printed and characterized in terms of the electrical conductivity properties.