Preparation and characterization of cellulosic conductive paper

Silver nanowires were successfully prepared by polyol method using silver nitrate as silver source, ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent, and ferric chloride as nucleating agent and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as structure directing agent and protective agent. The obtained silver nanowires were mixed with Kraft pulp fibers and bacterial cellulose to prepare conductive paper via simple filtration process. The results indicated that the size of silver nanowires can be regulated by the dosage of ferric chloride used. At optimal dosage of FeCl₃, the prepared silver nanowires can reach 20 μm length, 100 nm width, and 200 of width/diameter ratio. The adding of bacterial cellulose in preparing the conductive paper greatly enhanced the retention ratio of silver nanowires as well as the stress and strain of the conductive paper. The stress and strain of the paper with bacterial cellulose were increased by 60% and 7%, respectively, compared with that of the paper without bacterial cellulose. The maximum retention ratio and the highest recovery ratio of silver nanowires in conductive paper reached 94% and 75%, respectively. The resistance of as-prepared conductive paper was only 0.9 Ω. In conductive paper, the silver nanowires attached to the paper-based materials with cellulose fibers as the substrate, which achieved the electrical conductivity of paper-based materials. This conductive paper can be applied as antistatic, antibacterial packaging and conductive material.