Strong Graphene 3D Assemblies with High Elastic Recovery and Hardness

Journal Article · 18 July 2018 · Advanced Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201707424 · OSTI ID:1472126

Jin, Huile ^[1]; Bu, Yongfeng ^[1]; Li, Jun ^[1]; Liu, Jianping ^[1]; Fen, Xing ^[1]; Dai, Liming ^[2]; Wang, Jichang ^[3]; Lu, Jun  ^[4]; Wang, Shun ^[5]

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1. Wenzhou University, Zhejiang (China)
2. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States); University of New South Wales, Sydney (Australia)
3. University of Windsor, Ontario (Canada)
4. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
5. Shihezi University, Xinjiang (China)

The rational design and construction of 3D graphene assemblies is a crucial step to extend the graphene properties for practical applications. In this work, a novel interfacially reactive self-assembling process is reported to prepare well-organized 3D honeycomb-like graphene assemblies with unique polygonal nanopores interconnected by silicon-oxygen chemical bonds. The newly developed silicate-bridged graphene assembly (SGA) exhibits an exceptionally high hardness of 13.09 GPa, outperforming all existing 3D graphene materials, while maintains high Young’s modulus (162.96 GPa), elastic recovery (75.27%), and superb thermal stability (600 °C in air). The observed unusual merits are resulted from unique pore structure combining the mechanical stability of the trihedral-nanopore structure and the deformability of the other polygonal nanopores. As a filling material, a merely 0.05% (w/w) addition of SGA could double the impact resistance of unsaturated resins (e.g., polyester). While SGA is attractive for various applications, including body armors, wearable electronics, space elevators, and multifunctional reinforcement fibers for automobiles, and aerospace vehicles, the novel liquid sodium-water interfacial reactive self-assembling developed in this study could open avenues for further development of various well-defined 3D assemblies from graphene and many other materials.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle Technologies Office (EE-3V); USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1472126
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1460903
• Journal Information: Advanced Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Journal Issue: 36 Vol. 30; ISSN 0935-9648
• Publisher: WileyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English