| Graphene is a two-dimensional material with unique properties, but to make full use of it, it must be reproduced in 3D. The good news is that researchers at Virginia Tech have demonstrated their newly developed 3D printed graphene aerogel solution with a much higher resolution than previously. Usually, graphene only needs to be in the form of 'single layer of carbon atom sheet'. Although it is applied in some cases, it is still far from the actual investment.  New technology allows graphene aerogels to be 3D printed into larger shapes Simply stacking materials may reduce their strength and unique electrical, chemical, and optical properties, because there is not much difference from ordinary graphite at this time. However, the porous form of 'graphene aerogel' tries to fill the voids of 2D graphene with air. Other methods involve forging graphene into a 3D shape using a laser, compressing it into a porous coral structure, foam 3D printing, Or supported by carbon nanotubes.  Graphene aerogels are extremely lightweight and can even be placed on strawberry filaments without falling. The problem with graphene aerogels is that the method of shaping them into the desired shape is not at all simple. In the past, it could be extruded into filaments as thin as 100 microns, but it is difficult to make further breakthroughs. . The new research at Virginia Tech is to improve this. The author of the paper, Zheng Xiaoyu, said: 'With this technique, you can create very limited structures. But because there is no support, the fineness is quite limited and you can't get more free form factors'.  Scanning electron microscopy image of a new 3D printed graphene (with a resolution of 10 microns) What they do is design these graphene layers into any high-resolution shape you want. To this end, the researchers prepared a hydrogel from graphene oxide and added cross-linked sheets. They were then separated by ultrasound and combined with a light-sensitive acrylate polymer. Next, the team can use time-projection micro-stereolithography – a very accurate form of 3D printing that builds structures on the scale – creating rigid long chains of polymer with graphene oxide inside.  Continue to zoom to the 1 micron level Finally, the researchers placed the mixture in a furnace - burning off the polymer and leaving a graphene aerogel. The team said that this technology can be used to make any three-dimensional shape graphene you want, and its resolution is as fine as 10 microns, an order of magnitude higher than before. Details of the study have been published in the recently published Journal of Materials Horizons. The original title is: Additive manufacturing of complex micro-architected graphene aerogels |
