KR102611619B1 - Mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotube and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Provides a highly durable and human-friendly mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotubes and a manufacturing method thereof.
The mixed structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first part containing a graphene material, a second part mixed with the first part including a carbon nano tube material, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) ) and a solvent configured to mix the first part and the second part, and the mixture of the first part and the second part is a mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material. It may be composed of at least two layers with different composition ratios of the solvent.

Description

Mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotubes and method of manufacturing the same {MIXED STRUCTURE OF GRAPHENE AND CARBON NANOTUBE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotubes and a manufacturing method thereof, and more specifically, to a highly durable and human-friendly mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotubes and a manufacturing method thereof.

Graphene is a material with excellent mechanical and electrical properties and is widely used in many research fields, including the mechanical and semiconductor fields. This graphene is synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). At this time, a metal catalyst is essential for graphene synthesis, and it is generally synthesized in the form of graphene/metal catalyst.

Carbon nanotubes are rolled graphene and are in the form of hollow tubes. Carbon nanotubes have different electrical properties depending on the direction in which they are rolled and the number of walls, and periodically exhibit semiconductor or metallic properties. Like graphene, carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, so they have many applications, and are synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition.

Carbon materials with low-dimensional structures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene have excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical properties, making them suitable for next-generation transparent and flexible materials such as transparent electrodes, transparent transistors, and transparent sensors. Research for application to electronic devices is actively underway.

In particular, the development of medical devices that achieve therapeutic effects by providing electrical stimulation to the human body in a non-invasive manner using a composite of graphene and carbon nanotubes has recently been actively conducted.

However, in the case of the conventional composite, there is a problem in that the biocompatibility with the human skin is low, so the required level of electrical stimulation is not delivered to the skin, which reduces the therapeutic effect.

Public Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0146522

The present invention was conceived to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a highly durable and human-friendly mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotubes and a method of manufacturing the same.

However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

The mixed structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first part containing a graphene material, a second part mixed with the first part including a carbon nano tube material, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) ) and a solvent configured to mix the first part and the second part, and the mixture of the first part and the second part is a mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material. It may be composed of at least two layers with different composition ratios of the solvent.

Preferably, the mixture of the first part and the second part is composed of a lower composition ratio of the solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material than the first layer and the first layer. It may contain two floors.

Preferably, the second layer may be configured to be disposed closer to human skin than the first layer.

Preferably, the mixture of the first part and the second part may further include an electrode tip provided on an upper part of the second layer and contactable with human skin.

Preferably, a plurality of first protrusions may be formed on the outer surface of the electrode tip.

Preferably, the mixture of the first part and the second part is provided on the upper part of the second layer and is configured to have a predetermined area, the central part is connected to the electrode tip, and the mixture is located at both ends of the second layer. It further includes a third layer whose ends are connected to, wherein the third layer has a smaller composition ratio of the solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material than the second layer, and the human body It has a curved surface whose curvature increases as it approaches the skin of the body, and a plurality of second protrusions facing the human skin may be formed on the curved surface of the third layer.

Preferably, the mixture of the first part and the second part is composed of a larger composition ratio of the solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material than that of the first layer, and the composition ratio of the solvent is larger than that of the first layer. It further includes a reinforcing part configured to connect the first layer and the second layer inside the first layer and the second layer, wherein the reinforcing part increases in size of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material as it moves toward the second layer. The composition ratio of the solvent may be large compared to the composition ratio of the mixture.

A method of manufacturing a mixed structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes the steps of putting a first part containing a graphene material and a second part containing a carbon nanotube material into a container; , mixing the first part and the second part by adding a solvent containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the container, and curing the mixture of the first part and the second part by putting it into a mold. Includes steps.

Preferably, in the step of putting the first part containing the graphene material and the second part containing the carbon nanotube material into a container, the graphene material and the carbon nanotube The proportion of the graphene material in the mixture of tube materials can be set within the range of 20% to 80%.

Preferably, in the step of mixing the first part and the second part by adding the solvent containing the PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) into the container, the ratio of the solvent to the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material is The ratio can be set within the range of 5% to 20%.

Preferably, in the step of putting the first part containing the graphene material and the second part containing the carbon nanotube material into a container, n-Hexane added to the container The amount can be set within the range of 10g to 100g.

Preferably, in the step of putting the first part containing the graphene material and the second part containing the carbon nanotube material into the container, the first part put into the container and The ultrasonic dispersion time for the second part can be set within the range of 5 minutes to 60 minutes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by constructing a mixed structure of a graphene material and a carbon nanotube material with excellent electrical properties, the electrical resistance of the human skin to the mixed structure of the graphene material and a carbon nanotube material is minimized to provide electricity. Stimuli can be delivered more easily.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, PDMS, a type of silicon elastomer, is used as a solvent for graphene material and carbon nanotube material in the mixed structure, so that the mixed structure has excellent durability, elasticity, and adhesion to human skin. By doing so, the structural stability of the mixed structure and the contact area with the human skin can be maximized. Accordingly, the biocompatibility of the mixed structure with human skin can be maximized.

In addition, various other additional effects can be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. These various effects of the present invention will be described in detail in each embodiment, or descriptions of effects that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention described later. Therefore, the present invention includes the matters described in such drawings. It should not be interpreted as limited to only .
Figure 1 is a diagram showing a mixed structure of graphene and carbon nanotubes according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of use of the mixed structure of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a mixed structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing a mixed structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a mixed structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor must appropriately use the concept of terms to explain his or her invention in the best way. It must be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle of definability.

Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not entirely represent the technical idea of the present invention, so at the time of filing the present application, various options that can replace them are available. It should be understood that equivalents and variations may exist.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mixed structure 10 of graphene and carbon nanotubes according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific use example of the mixed structure 10 of FIG. 1. At this time, the enlarged view of FIG. 1 exemplarily shows the structure of a mixed layer of graphene and carbon nanotubes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mixed structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first part 100, a second part 200, and a solvent.

The first part 100 may include graphene material. As an example, graphene is one of the allotropes of carbon and can be a material with excellent mechanical and electrical properties.

The second part 200 may include a carbon nanotube (Carbon Nano Tube) material. And, the second part 200 may be mixed with the first part 100. As an example, carbon nanotubes may be in the form of rolled graphene, a hollow tube. And, like graphene, carbon nanotubes can be a material with excellent mechanical and electrical properties.

The solvent (not shown) may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). And, the solvent may be configured to mix the first part 100 and the second part 200. As an example, PDMS is a type of silicone elastomer and can be a material that is durable, has high elasticity, and has excellent adhesion to the surface of an object.

The mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 may be composed of at least two layers with different solvent composition ratios compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material. The at least two different layers in the embodiment of the present invention will be discussed in detail in the related description below.

In one embodiment, the mixed structure 10 including the first part 100 and the second part 200 is used in an electrical stimulation medical device (not shown) that delivers electrical stimulation to the human body to generate a therapeutic effect. can be connected In addition, the mixed structure 10 can transmit an electrical stimulation signal having a voltage in a specific range and a current in a specific range transmitted from a medical device for electrical stimulation to the skin of the human body.

According to this implementation configuration, by constructing a mixed structure 10 of a graphene material and a carbon nanotube material with excellent electrical characteristics, the electrical resistance of the human skin with respect to the mixed structure 10 of a graphene material and a carbon nanotube material By minimizing , electrical stimulation can be delivered more easily.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the mixed structure 10 with PDMS, a type of silicon elastomer, as a solvent for the graphene material and carbon nanotube material, the mixed structure 10 has excellent durability, elasticity, and resistance to the human body. By having adhesiveness to the skin, the structural stability of the mixed structure 10 and the contact area with the human skin can be maximized. Accordingly, the biocompatibility of the mixed structure 10 with human skin can be maximized.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mixture of the first portion 100 and the second portion 200 may include a first layer 210 and a second layer 220 .

The first layer 210 may be composed of a solvent in a predetermined ratio compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material.

The second layer 220 may be configured to have a smaller solvent composition ratio compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material than the first layer 210.

As described above, PDMS, which is a solvent, is a type of silicone elastomer and can be a material that is durable, has high elasticity, and has excellent adhesion to the surface of an object.

At this time, when the first layer 210 is composed of a larger solvent composition ratio compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material than the second layer 220, the elasticity of the first layer 210 While this is maintained high, durability can be further increased compared to the second layer 220.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 is formed into a first layer 210 and a first layer 210 having different solvent composition ratios compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material. By consisting of the second layer 220, the structural stability of the mixed structure 10 is more stably secured through the first layer 210, and the contact area with the human skin is maximized through the second layer 220. can be achieved simultaneously.

In particular, the second layer 220 may be configured to be closer to the human skin than the first layer 210. At this time, the first layer 210 may be connected to the aforementioned medical device, and the second layer 220 may be a part that comes into contact with the human skin.

That is, in the mixed structure 10 of the present invention, the second layer 220, which is composed of a smaller composition ratio of solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material than the first layer 210, is suitable for human skin. By configuring it to contact the surface, the durability of the mixture structure 10 itself is maximized through the first layer 210, and the contact area of the mixture structure 10 with the human skin is maximized through the second layer 220. It can be achieved.

Meanwhile, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 may further include an electrode tip 230.

The electrode tip 230 is provided on the top of the second layer 220 and may be configured to contact the human skin. As an example, the electrode tip 230 may be made of a material with high electrical conductivity.

This electrode tip 230 can transmit electrical stimulation delivered from the above-described medical device to the skin of the human body.

Additionally, a plurality of first protrusions 230a may be formed on the outer surface of the electrode tip 230.

Each of these first protrusions 230a may be configured to have a predetermined curved surface in various directions toward the human skin.

According to this implementation configuration, when the mixed structure 10 is in contact with the skin of the human body, the contact surface area between the mixed structure 10 and the skin of the human body can be further increased.

Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the mixed structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the manufacturing method of the mixed structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps S1 to S3.

In step S1, the first part 100 containing a graphene material and the second part 200 containing a carbon nanotube material are placed into a container. As an example, the container may be a flask, but is not limited thereto.

Additionally, in step S1, a predetermined amount of n-hexane may be added to the container, and the first part 100 and the second part 200 added to the container may be dispersed by ultrasonic waves for a predetermined time.

At this time, in step S1, the amount of n-hexane added to the container can be set within the range of 10g to 100g. And, in step S1, the ultrasonic dispersion time for the first part and the second part added to the container may be set within the range of 5 minutes to 60 minutes.

And, in step S1, the container may include a first container for forming the first layer 210 and a second container for forming the second layer 220. Also, the first part 100 and the second part 200 can be put into the first container, and the first part 100 and the second part 200 can also be put into the second container.

At this time, in step S1, the ratio of the graphene material in the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material may be set within the range of 20% to 80%.

In step S2, a solvent containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is added to the container to mix the first part 100 and the second part 200. At this time, in step S2, the content of PDMS added to the first container and the second container may be different.

Meanwhile, in step S2, the ratio of solvent to the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material may be set within the range of 5% to 20%.

In step S3, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 is put into a mold (not shown) and cured. At this time, the mold may have an internal structure corresponding to the shape of the completed mixed structure 10, and in particular, has a plurality of grooves capable of forming the first protrusion 230a of the electrode tip 230 described above. can do.

As an example, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 contained in the second container may be first put into the mold to form the second layer 220, which is the upper layer of the mixed structure 10. Then, after the second layer 220 is cured, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 contained in the first container is put into the mold to form the first layer 210, which is the lower layer of the mixed structure 10. ) can be formed.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing a mixed structure 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Since the mixed structure 12 according to the present embodiment is similar to the mixed structure 10 according to the previous embodiment, redundant description of components that are substantially the same or similar to the previous embodiment will be omitted, and hereinafter, the previous embodiment will be described. Let's focus on the differences from the example.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in the mixed structure 12, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 may include a third layer 240.

The third layer 240 may be provided on top of the second layer 220 and have a predetermined area. Additionally, the third layer 240 may have its central portion connected to the electrode tip 230 and its ends connected to both ends of the second layer 220 .

In addition, the third layer 240 may be configured to have a smaller solvent composition ratio compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material than the second layer 220. Additionally, the third layer 240 may have a curved surface whose curvature increases as it approaches the human skin.

That is, the third layer 240 may have a lower PDMS content than the second layer 220, so durability may be lower, but the second layer 240 has a central portion connected to the electrode tip 230 in addition to the second layer 220. The contact surface area of the mixed structure 12 with respect to the human skin can be further increased through the third layer 240 provided on the top of 220.

In particular, the third layer 240 may have a curved surface whose curvature increases as it approaches the human skin, so an additional layer is formed in the mixed structure 12 in a shape that matches the curvature of the skin surface to form a mixed structure ( 12) The surface area in contact with the human skin can be further increased.

Additionally, a plurality of second protrusions 240a facing the human skin may be formed on the curved surface of the third layer 240.

That is, in this embodiment, when the mixed structure 12 is in contact with the skin of the human body, the configuration of the first projection 230a of the electrode tip 230 and the configuration of the second projection 240a of the third layer 240 Through this, the contact surface area between the mixed structure 12 and the human skin can be further increased.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a mixed structure 14 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Since the mixed structure 14 according to the present embodiment is similar to the mixed structure 10 according to the previous embodiment, redundant description of components that are substantially the same or similar to the previous embodiment will be omitted, and hereinafter, the previous embodiment will be described. Let's focus on the differences from the example.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the mixed structure 14, the mixture of the first part 100 and the second part 200 may include a reinforcement portion 250.

The reinforcement portion 250 may be configured to have a larger ratio of solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material than that of the first layer 210. Additionally, the reinforcement portion 250 may be configured to connect the first layer 210 and the second layer 220 inside the first layer 210 and the second layer 220 .

That is, in the case of the reinforcement portion 250, durability can be further increased compared to the first layer 210 while maintaining high elasticity. In this way, the structural stability of the mixed structure 14 can be further strengthened through the reinforcement portion 250 connecting the first layer 210 and the second layer 220.

Specifically, the reinforcement portion 250 is formed to protrude in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the mixed structure 14 through a plurality of protrusions 250a formed to protrude from the inside of the first layer 210 and the second layer 220. can be inserted into

At this time, two of the plurality of protrusions 250a may be inserted into the interior of the first layer 210, and two of the plurality of protrusions 250a may be inserted into the interior of the second layer 220. . Accordingly, the first layer 210 and the second layer 220 can be stably connected through the reinforcement portion 250.

In addition, the reinforcing portion 250 may be configured to have a larger solvent composition ratio compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material as it approaches the second layer 220.

That is, the reinforcement portion 250 has a smaller ratio of solvent compared to the ratio of the mixture of graphene material and carbon nanotube material compared to the first layer 210, and the amount of graphene material and carbon increases as it moves toward the second layer 220. The structural stability of the second layer 220, which is less durable than the first layer 210, can be further strengthened by having a large ratio of the solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of nanotube materials.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the following will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalence of the patent claims to be described.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that this can be done.

10, 12, 14: Mixed structures
100: first part
200: second part
210: 1st floor
220: 2nd floor
230: electrode tip
230a: first protrusion
240: Third floor
240a: second protrusion
250: reinforcement part
250a: protrusion

Claims (12)

A first part comprising a graphene material;
A second part mixed with the first part including a carbon nanotube material; and
Comprising polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and comprising a solvent configured to mix the first part and the second part,
The mixture of the first part and the second part is:
It is composed of at least two layers with different composition ratios of the solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material,
The mixture of the first part and the second part is:
1st floor; and
A mixed structure comprising a second layer in which the composition ratio of the solvent is smaller than that of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material than the first layer. delete According to clause 1,
The second layer is,
A mixed structure, characterized in that it is configured to be disposed closer to human skin than the first layer. According to clause 3,
The mixture of the first part and the second part is:
A mixed structure further comprising an electrode tip provided on the second layer and contactable with human skin. According to clause 4,
A mixed structure, characterized in that a plurality of first protrusions are formed on the outer surface of the electrode tip. According to clause 4,
The mixture of the first part and the second part is:
It further includes a third layer provided on top of the second layer and configured to have a predetermined area, the central portion connected to the electrode tip and the ends connected to both ends of the second layer,
The third layer is,
The composition ratio of the solvent compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material is smaller than that of the second layer, and has a curved surface whose curvature increases toward the human skin,
On the curved surface of the third layer,
A mixed structure characterized by the formation of a plurality of second protrusions facing the human skin. According to clause 1,
The mixture of the first part and the second part is:
The composition ratio of the solvent relative to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material is larger than that of the first layer, and the first layer and the second layer are formed inside the first layer and the second layer. Further comprising a reinforcing part configured to connect the two layers,
The reinforcement part,
A mixed structure, characterized in that the composition ratio of the solvent becomes larger as compared to the composition ratio of the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material toward the second layer. Inserting a first part containing a graphene material and a second part containing a carbon nanotube material into a container;
mixing the first part and the second part by adding a solvent containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the container; and
Comprising the step of putting the mixture of the first part and the second part into a mold and curing it,
In the step of putting the first part containing the graphene material and the second part containing the carbon nanotube material into the container,
A method of manufacturing a mixed structure, characterized in that the ratio of the graphene material in the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material is set within the range of 20% to 80%. delete According to clause 8,
In the step of mixing the first part and the second part by adding a solvent containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the container,
A method of manufacturing a mixed structure, characterized in that the ratio of the solvent to the mixture of the graphene material and the carbon nanotube material is set within the range of 5% to 20%. According to clause 8,
In the step of putting the first part containing the graphene material and the second part containing the carbon nanotube material into a container,
A method of manufacturing a mixed structure, characterized in that the amount of n-Hexane added to the container is set within the range of 10g to 100g. According to clause 8,
In the step of putting the first part containing the graphene material and the second part containing the carbon nanotube material into the container,
A method of manufacturing a mixed structure, characterized in that the ultrasonic dispersion time for the first part and the second part added to the container is set within the range of 5 minutes to 60 minutes.

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