The interaction between ethyl cellulose (EC) and pristine graphene occurs primarily through physical adsorption due to the hydrophobic nature of both materials. Since graphene lacks reactive functional groups, it does not form chemical bonds with EC. Instead, the interaction is driven by van der Waals forces and π-π stacking, allowing graphene sheets to be uniformly dispersed within the EC matrix. This behavior enables the formation of stable conductive inks and films without the need for chemical modifications.

So if the dispersion of pristine Gr/EC is dried as a powder and charactized using the IR spectroscopy, what will be the expected spectrum?

Ethyl cellulose (EC) interacts with pristine graphene through physical adsorption and hydrophobic interactions, rather than forming chemical bonds. The adsorbed EC polymer chains act as a dispersant, stabilizer, and binder, enabling the formation of high-quality graphene inks and films with enhanced charge transport properties.