Influence of co-solvent hydroxyl group number on properties of water-based conductive carbon pastes

•Rheological behaviors of water-based conductive pastes were adjusted by using alcohol co-solvents.•Paste’s viscosity was increased with the number of hydroxyl groups for the co-solvent.•Co-solvent with two hydroxyl groups was the best in inducing Marangoni flow.•The balance between convective and Marangoni flow should be kept during drying.•Interconnected carbon black particles provided high conductivity for printed pattern.