When packaging and transporting products that require anti-static protection (such as high-precision electronic devices and precision instruments), the anti-static properties of the packaging material are of paramount importance. Static electricity generated by packaging materials (such as the mutual attraction between materials or the adsorption of dust and other pollutants) can diminish the aesthetic appeal of the packaging and, in severe cases, cause irreversible damage to the products inside. This can shorten the product’s lifespan and increase costs, making it essential to use anti-static packaging materials for protection.
Currently, there are two main methods for preparing anti-static packaging materials: adding other materials (conductive materials or anti-static agents) to the packaging material to meet anti-static requirements, or coating the surface of the original packaging material with an anti-static layer. Since applying an external anti-static coating requires secondary processing on the base packaging material and the coating can easily peel off due to external factors, using internally added anti-static packaging materials has become a common method for static protection in recent years.
Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon material with a honeycomb lattice composed of single-layer carbon atoms. It has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and mechanical strength. Since its discovery, graphene has attracted significant attention and extensive research, leading to widespread applications in the electrical field, such as zero-gap semiconductors and supercapacitors. However, due to graphene’s chemical inertness and interlayer forces, its dispersion in organic polymer materials is often poor. Thus, when using graphene as conductive nanoparticles to enhance the anti-static properties of packaging materials, it is necessary to address the issue of phase compatibility.
Graphene oxide not only retains some of graphene’s excellent properties but also has a surface rich in oxygen-containing functional groups, which improves its compatibility with polymer matrices. This results in better dispersion within the matrix. By ensuring good dispersion, the original excellent properties of graphene can be restored, thereby maximizing the overall performance of the composite film.