GRAPHENE TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE FILM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Abstract

A graphene transparent conductive film is disclosed. The graphene transparent conductive film includes graphene and a vertical alignment agent. A method for manufacturing the graphene transparent conductive film is further disclosed. In the method, graphene, a surfactant, and water are mixed to obtain a graphene solution; a vertical alignment agent is added to the graphene solution to obtain a graphene transparent conductive film liquid, and the film liquid is coated on a substrate and heated to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film. The vertical alignment agent can reduce a surface energy of liquid crystal molecules in a polymer matrix, increase a contact angle, so that the liquid crystal molecules can be aligned vertically.

Claims

1. A graphene transparent conductive film, comprising graphene and a vertical alignment agent, wherein a general structural formula of the vertical alignment agent is RS.sub.P-Q.sub.n, wherein Q is a sulfonic acid group, and n is an integer in a range from 1 to 3; wherein S.sub.P is a linking group, and a general structural formula thereof is (CH.sub.2).sub.m, in which m is an integer in a range from 1 to 5, and one or more CH.sub.2 group(s) can be optionally substituted by a group selected from phenylene, aromatic condensed ring base, cycloalkylene, O, S, CO, COO, OCO, OCOO, OCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2O, CHCH, CFCF, CC, CHCHCOO, and OCOCHCH; and wherein R is selected from substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-20 linear or branched alkyl, in which one or more CH.sub.2 group(s) can be optionally substituted by a group selected from O, CONH, COO, OCO, CO, and CHCH, and one or more H atom(s) can be optionally substituted by F atom(s) or Cl atom(s).

2. The graphene transparent conductive film according to claim 1, wherein in the general structural formula RS.sub.P-Q.sub.n, when n is 1, the linking group S.sub.P contains at least two benzene rings or aromatic condensed rings.

3. The graphene transparent conductive film according to claim 1, wherein the vertical alignment agent is one or more selected from ##STR00008##

4. A method for manufacturing a graphene transparent conductive film, comprising steps of: S1, mixing graphene, a surfactant, and water so as to obtain a graphene solution; S2, adding a vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS to the graphene solution so as to obtain a graphene transparent conductive film liquid; and S3, coating the graphene transparent conductive film liquid on a substrate, and removing water from the film liquid so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein step S1 comprises mixing graphene, the surfactant, and water, and performing ultrasound treatment on them to mix them together so as to obtain the graphene solution.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a mass ratio of graphene, to the surfactant, and to water is in a range of 1:(50-500):(2000-10000).

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein step S2 comprises adding the vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS to the graphene solution, and performing ultrasound treatment on them to mix them together so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film liquid.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a mass ratio of the graphene solution, to the vertical alignment agent, and to PEDOT-PSS is in a range of 1:(0.1-1):(50-100).

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a general structural formula of the vertical alignment agent is RS.sub.P-Q.sub.n, wherein Q is a sulfonic acid group, and n is an integer in a range from 1 to 3; wherein S.sub.P is a linking group, and a general structural formula thereof is (CH.sub.2).sub.m, in which m is an integer in a range from 1 to 5, and one or more CH.sub.2 group(s) can be optionally substituted by a group selected from phenylene, aromatic condensed ring base, cycloalkylene, O, S, CO, COO, OCO, OCOO, OCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2O, CHCH, CFCF, CC, CHCHCOO, and OCOCHCH; and wherein R is selected from substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-20 linear or branched alkyl, in which one or more CH.sub.2 group(s) can be optionally substituted by a group selected from O, CONH, COO, OCO, CO, and CHCH, and one or more H atom(s) can be optionally substituted by F atom(s) or Cl atom(s).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein in the general structural formula RS.sub.P-Q.sub.n, when n is 1, the linking group S.sub.P contains at least two benzene rings or aromatic condensed rings.

11. The method according to claim 4, wherein step S3 comprises coating the graphene transparent conductive film liquid on the substrate, and performing heat treatment on the film liquid to remove water therefrom so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a heat treatment temperature is in a range from 80 C. to 140 C., and a heat treatment time is in a range from 3 min to 10 min.

13. A liquid crystal display device, comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal material arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a graphene transparent conductive film is coated on the first substrate and the second substrate, and the graphene transparent conductive film comprises graphene and a vertical alignment agent, wherein a general structural formula of the vertical alignment agent is RS.sub.P-Q.sub.n, wherein Q is a sulfonic acid group, and n is an integer in a range from 1 to 3; wherein S.sub.p is a linking group, and a general structural formula thereof is (CH.sub.2).sub.m, in which m is an integer in a range from 1 to 5, and one or more CH.sub.2 group(s) can be optionally substituted by a group selected from phenylene, aromatic condensed ring base, cycloalkylene, O, S, CO, COO, OCO, OCOO, OCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2O, CHCH, CFCF, CC, CHCHCOO, and OCOCHCH; and wherein R is selected from substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3-20 linear or branched alkyl, in which one or more CH.sub.2 group(s) can be optionally substituted by a group selected from O, CONH, COO, OCO, CO, and CHCH, and one or more H atom(s) can be optionally substituted by F atom(s) or Cl atom(s).

14. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 13, wherein in the general structural formula RS.sub.P-Q.sub.n, when n is 1, the linking group S.sub.P contains at least two benzene rings or aromatic condensed rings.

15. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 13, wherein the graphene transparent conductive film is manufactured through a following method: S1, mixing graphene, a surfactant, and water so as to obtain a graphene solution; S2, adding a vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS to the graphene solution so as to obtain a graphene transparent conductive film liquid; and S3, coating the graphene transparent conductive film liquid on a substrate, and removing water from the film liquid so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film.

16. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 15, wherein a mass ratio of graphene, to the surfactant, and to water is in a range of 1:(50-500):(2000-10000).

17. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 15, wherein a mass ratio of the graphene solution, to the vertical alignment agent, and to PEDOT-PSS is in a range of 1:(0.1-1):(50-100).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings provide further understandings of the present disclosure and constitute one part of the description. The drawings are used for interpreting the present disclosure together with the embodiments, not for limiting the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 schematically shows a preparing procedure of a graphene transparent conductive film according to the present disclosure; and

[0032] FIG. 2 schematically shows a structure of a liquid crystal display device according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The technical solutions of the present disclosure will be further illustrated hereinafter with reference to specific embodiments.

Embodiment 1

[0034] (1) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 graphene powder 1; surfactant 200; and water 5000.

[0035] The graphene powder, surfactant, and water are mixed and treated by ultrasound, so that they can be mixed uniformly to obtain graphene solution. The surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfonate.

[0036] (2) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00002 graphene solution 1; vertical alignment agent 0.5; and PEDOT-PSS 60.

[0037] The vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS are added to the graphene solution, and they are treated by ultrasound to be mixed uniformly so as to obtain graphene transparent conductive film liquid. The vertical alignment agent is

##STR00003##

[0038] (3) The graphene transparent conductive film liquid is coated on a TFT substrate and a CF substrate, and then heated to 120 C. and baked for 3 min to remove water from the graphene film so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film with a vertical alignment effect.

[0039] (4) The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are fitted together in a vacuum environment, and then sealed by a sealant. The sealant is cured by ultraviolet to obtain a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is irradiated by ultraviolet to obtain a TFT-LCD.

Embodiment 2

[0040] (1) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00003 graphene powder 1; surfactant 100; and water 8000.

[0041] The graphene powder, surfactant, and water are mixed and treated by ultrasound, so that they can be mixed uniformly to obtain graphene solution. The surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

[0042] (2) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00004 graphene solution 1; vertical alignment agent 0.1; and PEDOT-PSS 80.

[0043] The vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS are added to the graphene solution, and they are treated by ultrasound to be mixed uniformly so as to obtain graphene transparent conductive film liquid. The vertical alignment agent is

##STR00004##

[0044] (3) The graphene transparent conductive film liquid is coated on a TFT substrate and a CF substrate, and then heated to 100 C. and baked for 5 min to remove water from the graphene film so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film with a vertical alignment effect.

[0045] (4) The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are fitted together in a vacuum environment, and then sealed by a sealant. The sealant is cured by ultraviolet to obtain a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is irradiated by ultraviolet to obtain a TFT-LCD.

Embodiment 3

[0046] (1) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00005 graphene powder 1; surfactant 500; and water 2000.

[0047] The graphene powder, surfactant, and water are mixed and treated by ultrasound, so that they can be mixed uniformly to obtain graphene solution. The surfactant is sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

[0048] (2) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00006 graphene solution 1; vertical alignment agent 0.3; and PEDOT-PSS 75.

[0049] The vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS are added to the graphene solution, and they are treated by ultrasound to be mixed uniformly so as to obtain graphene transparent conductive film liquid. The vertical alignment agent is

##STR00005##

[0050] (3) The graphene transparent conductive film liquid is coated on a TFT substrate and a CF substrate, and then heated to 80 C. and baked for 10 min to remove water from the graphene film so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film with a vertical alignment effect.

[0051] (4) The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are fitted together in a vacuum environment, and then sealed by a sealant. The sealant is cured by ultraviolet to obtain a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is irradiated by ultraviolet to obtain a TFT-LCD.

Embodiment 4

[0052] (1) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00007 graphene powder 1; surfactant 50; and water 10000.

[0053] The graphene powder, surfactant, and water are mixed and treated by ultrasound, so that they can be mixed uniformly to obtain graphene solution. The surfactant is ammonium dodecyl sulfate.

[0054] (2) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00008 graphene solution 1; vertical alignment agent 0.8; and PEDOT-PSS 100.

[0055] The vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS are added to the graphene solution, and they are treated by ultrasound to be mixed uniformly so as to obtain graphene transparent conductive film liquid. The vertical alignment agent is

##STR00006##

[0056] (3) The graphene transparent conductive film liquid is coated on a TFT substrate and a CF substrate, and then heated to 90 C. and baked for 8 min to remove water from the graphene film so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film with a vertical alignment effect.

[0057] (4) The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are fitted together in a vacuum environment, and then sealed by a sealant. The sealant is cured by ultraviolet to obtain a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is irradiated by ultraviolet to obtain a TFT-LCD.

Embodiment 5

[0058] (1) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00009 graphene powder 1; surfactant 300; and water 3000.

[0059] The graphene powder, surfactant, and water are mixed and treated by ultrasound, so that they can be mixed uniformly to obtain graphene solution. The surfactant is sodium tetradecyl sulfate.

[0060] (2) Materials are prepared with a mass ratio as follows:

TABLE-US-00010 graphene solution 1; vertical alignment agent 1; and PEDOT-PSS 50.

[0061] The vertical alignment agent and PEDOT-PSS are added to the graphene solution, and they are treated by ultrasound to be mixed uniformly so as to obtain graphene transparent conductive film liquid. The vertical alignment agent is

##STR00007##

[0062] (3) The graphene transparent conductive film liquid is coated on a TFT substrate and a CF substrate, and then heated to 140 C. and baked for 6 min to remove water from the graphene film so as to obtain the graphene transparent conductive film with a vertical alignment effect.

[0063] (4) The CF substrate and the TFT substrate are fitted together in a vacuum environment, and then sealed by a sealant. The sealant is cured by ultraviolet to obtain a liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is irradiated by ultraviolet to obtain a TFT-LCD.

[0064] The display effects of the TFT-LCDs manufactured in embodiments 1 to 5 are tested, and the test results are shown in Table 1. It can be seen from Table 1 that, the LCD manufactured in the present disclosure shows a dark color when no power is applied thereon; the liquid crystal has a pre-tilt angle in a range from 88.50 to 89.20; and the LCD has a good dark state.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 1 Display mode Dark state Pre-tilt angle Embodiment 1 Good 89.0 Embodiment 2 Good 88.6 Embodiment 3 Good 88.5 Embodiment 4 Good 89.2 Embodiment 5 Good 89.1

[0065] Any value mentioned in the present disclosure includes all the values of a unit being added each time from a minimum value to a maximum value if there is only an interval of two units between any minimum value and any maximum value. For example, if it is stated that the amount of a component, or a value of variables such as temperature, pressure, and time is from 50 to 90, this means in the description that it recites values of from 51 to 89, 52 to 88 . . . 69 to 71, and 70 to 71. For non-integer values, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 or 0.0001 can be considered as a unit. These are only a few specific examples. In this application, all possible combinations of numerical values between the minimum value and the maximum value recited in a similar manner are considered to have been disclosed.

[0066] It should be noted that, the above embodiments are only used for illustrating, rather than restricting the present disclosure. The present disclosure is illustrated in detail in combination with specific embodiments hereinabove, but it can be understood that, the words used are descriptive and explanatory ones, rather than restrictive ones. Changes can be made to the present disclosure according to the protection scopes of the claims recited herein, and amendments can be made to the present disclosure as long as they do not go beyond the spirit and scope thereof. Although the present disclosure described herein relates to specific methods, materials, and embodiments, it does not mean that the present disclosure is limited to the particular embodiments disclosed therein. Instead, the present disclosure can be extended to all other methods and applications having same functions.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0067] 1 substrate; [0068] 2 graphene transparent conductive film liquid; [0069] 3 vertical alignment agent; [0070] 4 surfactant; [0071] 5 graphene; and [0072] 6 liquid crystal molecules.