| abstract |
An ink disclosed herein comprises a carrier liquid with a dispersion of flakes derived from a layered material. The thickness of each flake depends on the number of layers of the layered material in the flake. The thickness distribution of the flakes includes: at least 20% by number of single layer flakes; at least 40% by number cumulatively of single, double and triple layer flakes; or not more than 40% by number of flakes having ten or more layers. The layered material is selected from one or more of elemental materials such as graphene (typically derived from pristine graphite), metals (e.g., NiTe2, VSe2), semi-metals (e.g., WTa 2 , TcS 2 ), semiconductors (e.g., WS 2 , WSe 2 , MoS 2 , MoTe 2 , TaS 2 , RhTe 2 , PdTe 2 ), insulators (e.g., h-BN, HfS 2 ), superconductors (e.g., NbS 2 , NbSe 2 , NbTe 2 , TaSe 2 ) and topological insulators and thermo-electrics (e.g., Bi 2 Se 3 , Bi 2 Te 3 ). Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing suitable inks and uses of the inks. |