Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GRADINK (Functionalized graphenes for ink technologies)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-10-01 al 2025-03-31
The GRADINK project emerges from a pressing demand for next-generation sensing technologies that are not only highly sensitive and selective, but also cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and compatible with scalable production methods. At the intersection of materials science, electronics, and health and environmental monitoring, GRADINK addresses a fundamental limitation of existing sensor technologies: their lack of customizability, eco-compatibility, and ease of integration into modern manufacturing platforms.
The project builds upon the exceptional properties of graphene and its derivatives, particularly focusing on nitrogen-doped graphene acid (NGA) and graphene acid (GA). These materials possess a rare combination of high electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and water dispersibility, making them ideal for use in inkjet printing of biosensors and electrochemical sensors. By utilizing these advanced materials in the formulation of functional inks, GRADINK aims to enable the rapid and flexible printing of sensors for diverse applications.
The primary objectives of GRADINK are to:
-Develop and scale-up the synthesis of novel graphene-based materials suitable for printing.
- Formulate water-based, eco-friendly inks incorporating these materials, optimized for inkjet printing.
- Demonstrate proof of concept through validation on commercial printing platforms and sensor fabrication.
- Prepare a roadmap for commercialization and exploitation, including licensing, spin-off creation, and industry partnerships.
GRADINK addresses these unmet needs by offering a bioconjugatable ink that is compatible with commercial printing infrastructure, thus lowering the barrier to sensor innovation and enabling broader market penetration.
Expected Impact
GRADINK's impact is expected to be multi-dimensional, with benefits across technological, societal, economic, and environmental domains:
- Technological Innovation: Introduction of a disruptive class of conductive inks that retain high conductivity while being functionalizable with biomolecules, enabling direct printing of application-specific biosensors.
- Environmental Sustainability: Adoption of water-based ink formulations that reduce toxic solvent use, material waste, and overall environmental footprint.
- Economic Potential: The inks are projected to compete favorably with market-leading conductive inks, offering first-mover advantages in biosensor ink markets. The global printed sensor market, valued at €410 million in 2024, is forecasted to more than double by 2034.
GRADINK aligns with EU Green Deal objectives, supports the circular economy, and contributes to strategic autonomy in advanced materials within Europe.
The project builds upon the exceptional properties of graphene and its derivatives, particularly focusing on nitrogen-doped graphene acid (NGA) and graphene acid (GA). These materials possess a rare combination of high electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and water dispersibility, making them ideal for use in inkjet printing of biosensors and electrochemical sensors. By utilizing these advanced materials in the formulation of functional inks, GRADINK aims to enable the rapid and flexible printing of sensors for diverse applications.
The primary objectives of GRADINK are to:
-Develop and scale-up the synthesis of novel graphene-based materials suitable for printing.
- Formulate water-based, eco-friendly inks incorporating these materials, optimized for inkjet printing.
- Demonstrate proof of concept through validation on commercial printing platforms and sensor fabrication.
- Prepare a roadmap for commercialization and exploitation, including licensing, spin-off creation, and industry partnerships.
GRADINK addresses these unmet needs by offering a bioconjugatable ink that is compatible with commercial printing infrastructure, thus lowering the barrier to sensor innovation and enabling broader market penetration.
Expected Impact
GRADINK's impact is expected to be multi-dimensional, with benefits across technological, societal, economic, and environmental domains:
- Technological Innovation: Introduction of a disruptive class of conductive inks that retain high conductivity while being functionalizable with biomolecules, enabling direct printing of application-specific biosensors.
- Environmental Sustainability: Adoption of water-based ink formulations that reduce toxic solvent use, material waste, and overall environmental footprint.
- Economic Potential: The inks are projected to compete favorably with market-leading conductive inks, offering first-mover advantages in biosensor ink markets. The global printed sensor market, valued at €410 million in 2024, is forecasted to more than double by 2034.
GRADINK aligns with EU Green Deal objectives, supports the circular economy, and contributes to strategic autonomy in advanced materials within Europe.
Technical and Scientific Activities Performed
Technical Scale-Up
The goal was to optimize and scale up the synthesis of NGA (nitrogen-doped graphene acid) for industrial conditions. A synthesis protocol was developed and validated, with 300 g of NGA produced. Reproducibility was confirmed through characterization (XPS, FTIR, electron microscopy, conductivity, and viscosity measurements). The outcome is a validated process for producing NGA suitable for ink applications.
Ink Formulation
GRADERINK was developed – a water-based, printable ink using NGA.Ensured dispersion stability (particle size <450 nm), appropriate viscosity (~2.4 mPa·s), and surface tension (~59.7 mN/m). The ink is inkjet-compatible and functionally tunable.
Technical Validation
GRADERINK was successfully tested with DimaX DMP-2850 and Hummink HPCaP printers. Compatibility, multi-layer printing (~200 nm at 20 layers), high resolution (5080 dpi), and electrochemical activity of printed sensors were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
Scalable NGA synthesis was validated, a robust GRADERINK ink developed, and compatibility with industrial printers confirmed. Printed sensors showed functionality for environmental and biomedical applications. Outputs include technical reports, datasets, and validation documents.
Technical Scale-Up
The goal was to optimize and scale up the synthesis of NGA (nitrogen-doped graphene acid) for industrial conditions. A synthesis protocol was developed and validated, with 300 g of NGA produced. Reproducibility was confirmed through characterization (XPS, FTIR, electron microscopy, conductivity, and viscosity measurements). The outcome is a validated process for producing NGA suitable for ink applications.
Ink Formulation
GRADERINK was developed – a water-based, printable ink using NGA.Ensured dispersion stability (particle size <450 nm), appropriate viscosity (~2.4 mPa·s), and surface tension (~59.7 mN/m). The ink is inkjet-compatible and functionally tunable.
Technical Validation
GRADERINK was successfully tested with DimaX DMP-2850 and Hummink HPCaP printers. Compatibility, multi-layer printing (~200 nm at 20 layers), high resolution (5080 dpi), and electrochemical activity of printed sensors were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
Scalable NGA synthesis was validated, a robust GRADERINK ink developed, and compatibility with industrial printers confirmed. Printed sensors showed functionality for environmental and biomedical applications. Outputs include technical reports, datasets, and validation documents.
The GRADINK project successfully developed and validated a new class of water-based, bioconjugatable graphene derivative inks for inkjet printing of (bio)sensors.
Key Outcomes:
Synthesis Scale-Up: Produced 300 g of nitrogen-doped graphene acid (NGA), surpassing the 100 g target.
Ink Formulation: Created GRADERINK – a stable, printable ink with optimized viscosity and surface tension for high-resolution printing.
Validation: GRADERINK showed excellent jetting, resolution (up to 5080 dpi), multi-layer capability, and enabled printing of functional electrochemical sensors.
Demonstrators: Printed sensors on commercial electrodes with proven activity for environmental and healthcare use.
Scientific & Technological Impact:
GRADINK introduced functionalized NGA with conductivity, dispersibility, and bioconjugation, enabling direct printing of biosensors (e.g. enzymes, antibodies, DNA). It offers a safer, water-based alternative to traditional silver or rGO inks.
Economic & Industrial Impact:
The ink is poised to disrupt the €6.3B conductive inks and €950M printed sensor markets by 2034. GRADINK offers a first-mover advantage in commercial graphene inks.
Societal & Environmental Impact:
Aligned with the EU Green Deal, GRADINK is VOC-free and compatible with biodegradable substrates, supporting real-time, low-cost monitoring in low-resource settings.
Key Outcomes:
Synthesis Scale-Up: Produced 300 g of nitrogen-doped graphene acid (NGA), surpassing the 100 g target.
Ink Formulation: Created GRADERINK – a stable, printable ink with optimized viscosity and surface tension for high-resolution printing.
Validation: GRADERINK showed excellent jetting, resolution (up to 5080 dpi), multi-layer capability, and enabled printing of functional electrochemical sensors.
Demonstrators: Printed sensors on commercial electrodes with proven activity for environmental and healthcare use.
Scientific & Technological Impact:
GRADINK introduced functionalized NGA with conductivity, dispersibility, and bioconjugation, enabling direct printing of biosensors (e.g. enzymes, antibodies, DNA). It offers a safer, water-based alternative to traditional silver or rGO inks.
Economic & Industrial Impact:
The ink is poised to disrupt the €6.3B conductive inks and €950M printed sensor markets by 2034. GRADINK offers a first-mover advantage in commercial graphene inks.
Societal & Environmental Impact:
Aligned with the EU Green Deal, GRADINK is VOC-free and compatible with biodegradable substrates, supporting real-time, low-cost monitoring in low-resource settings.