Enhanced electrical conductivity of TiO2/graphene: The role of introducing Ca2

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used as coating in polymer materials due to its high visible light transmittance, long-term chemical stability and low cost. However, these materials are easily to generate electrostatic discharge and fire because of friction or collision. In order to prevent the damage, TiO2 is required to improve electrical conductivity. Herein, TiO2/G/Ca2+ (TGC) conductive composites are synthesized by self-assembly method on the basis of TiO2/G (TG) composites. The conductivity of TGC nanocomposites is significantly enhanced in comparison with TG, and the lowest resistivity is 0.58 Ω cm. The increased electrical conductivity of TGC composites can be attributed to the three-dimensional conductive network achieved by Ca2+ bridging graphene (G) sheets to create new electron energy levels and conduction channels. This strategy can provide a novel approach to enhance the conductivity of TiO2-based conductive materials and facilitate its application in coating field. •TiO2/graphene/Ca2+ nanocomposites were fabricated by simple self-assembly method.•The graphene sheets are crosslinked by Ca2+ to form 3D conductive network.•The crosslinked graphene sheets favors efficiently transport of electrons.•TiO2/graphene/Ca2+ nanocomposites exhibit enhanced electrical conductivity.