Abstract: The invention provides electrically conductive films containing graphene nanoplatelets packed in a substantially Apollonian manner. The films may also comprise carbon nanotubes in order to improve their conductivity. The invention also provides liquid compositions that can be used to print the electrically conductive films described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a Raman-detectible composition comprising two or more different Raman-active 2D materials. Also provided is a formulation comprising the Raman-detectible composition and a binder; a substrate comprising the Raman-detectible composition; the use of the Raman-detectible composition to tag a substrate; a method for tagging a substrate with the Raman-detectible composition; and a method for analysing a substrate or formulation for the presence of the Raman detectible composition.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid compositions comprising conductive carbon particles and/or carbon nanoparticles, a thickening agent, and a solvent. The carbon nanoparticles are preferably a mixture of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes and the thickening agent is preferably a cellulose derivative. The liquid compositions can be used as ink to print highly conductive films that adhere to paper substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a composite material, the method comprising: (1) forming a Pickering emulsion comprising a continuous liquid phase, a discontinuous liquid phase, and a 2D material: wherein the discontinuous liquid phase comprises a polysiloxane and a curing agent; (2) leaving the Pickering emulsion formed in step (1) in a sealed system for sufficient time to at least partially cure the polysiloxane: and (3) allowing any remaining liquid to evaporate.

Abstract: Nanoplatelets are prepared from a 3D layered material by: providing a dispersion of the 3D layered material, pressurising the dispersion, rapidly depressurising the dispersion to create shear forces that exfoliate the 3D layered material into nanoplatelets; and/or providing a dispersion of the 3D layered material, forming a first flow of the dispersion along a first flowpath in a first direction, forming a second flow of the dispersion along a second flowpath in a second direction by reversing the first flow or by forming the second flow in a second flowpath, wherein the second flowpath is substantially reverse and non-coaxial with the first flowpath, whereby shear forces between material in the first flowpath and material in the second flowpath exfoliate the 3D layered material into nanoplatelets. Also provided are apparatuses for carrying out the invention and nanoplatelets obtained by the invention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a conductive thin film are provided. In one arrangement, compositions of nanowires having different mean aspect ratios are mixed together and applied as a layer on a substrate. In other arrangements a single composition of nanowires is processed in order to increase an aspect ratio variance and the processed composition is applied as a layer on a substrate. The layers thus applied provide an improved balance of electrical conductivity to transparency and are expected to provide improved isotropy in the inplane conductivity.