Modeling of the stability of water-based graphite dispersions using polyvinylpyrrolidone on the basis of the DLVO theory

The applications of graphite nanoparticle dispersions emerge due to the increasing importance of printed electronics and microelectronics, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. Promising technologies are inkjet printing processes, which are significantly influenced by the dispersion stability. Achieving stability is particularly challenging for nanoparticle dispersions due to the strong attractive forces emanating from the large particle surfaces. Despite the significance attributed to stability, it is predominantly investigated empirically. The only existing model to mathematically describe interparticle forces is given by the DLVO theory. This paper uses the extended DLVO theory to model the stability of aqueous graphite dispersions. Furthermore, the influences arising from an electrosterically stabilizing dispersant, in this case polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were incorporated in the model. Experimentally data obtained from sedimentation analyses concur with the DLVO theory prediction. Due to the universality of the model, it is expected to be applicable to different material and dispersant systems.