Graphene Composites

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbon Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 14708

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Guest Editor
Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
Interests: nanomaterials especially carbon nanotubes and graphene; electrochemistry; electrochemiluminescence; electrobioluminescence; coulometry; photoelectrochemistry; hydrogen technology; fuel cells
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Graphene is a 2D material made of sphybridized carbon atoms which have enormous strength. It has extraordinary mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. One square meter sheet of graphene could support four kilograms and has a large surface area. The composite of graphene opens up materials with extraordinary properties. The composites with metals, polymers and ceramics have unusual mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. The potential of these composites has encouraged extraordinary research activities in several areas, such as new alloys, biomedical aids, flexible wearable sensors and actuators, electronics and aerospace. Today’s world is facing major challenges from viruses such as COVID-19, as no vaccine is currently available, making the coronavirus life threatening. The whole world is in search of materials that could prevent the spread of the disease. Here, graphene composites and carbon nanotube composites could help reduce the problems which arise from viruses. The applications could be in the detection of the virus, the production of personal protective equipment, nose masks, storage systems, and transportation systems, etc. This Special Issue will focus on graphene composites that could provide applications for environmental stability. We welcome manuscripts in all areas of graphene composites. For this Special Issue, we will publish papers which focus on high impact and high quality graphene composite materials, and which are contributions for the advancement of materials science. The SI will contain both fundamental contributions and review articles.

Prof. K.S.V. Santhanam
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Graphene
  • Graphene composites
  • Sensors
  • Actuators
  • Electrochemistry
  • Personal protective materials
  • New graphene based alloys
  • Aerospace
  • Biomedical
  • Thermal conductivity
  • Electrical conductivity
  • Strength
  • Stability
  • Polymers
  • Metals and ceramics

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 23973 KiB  
Article
Molecular Dynamics Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Fullerphene and Fullerphene/Graphene Composite
by Mingjun Han, Taotao Yu, Yinghe Zhang, Xue Chen, Xiao-Jia Chen, Qing Peng and Ho-Kin Tang
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(8), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8080310 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 838
Abstract
Quasi-hexagonal-phase fullerene (qHPC60) is an asymmetrically ordered arrangement of fullerene in the two-dimensional plane, which has been synthesized recently. In this study, we performed a comprehensive investigation of the anisotropic mechanical properties of a qHPC60/graphene composite by means of [...] Read more.
Quasi-hexagonal-phase fullerene (qHPC60) is an asymmetrically ordered arrangement of fullerene in the two-dimensional plane, which has been synthesized recently. In this study, we performed a comprehensive investigation of the anisotropic mechanical properties of a qHPC60/graphene composite by means of molecular dynamics simulations. We assessed the mechanical properties of the 2D torsion-angle fullerene model with three force-fields: AIREBO, REAXFF, and TERSOFF. The results of the uniaxial tensile tests show that while the variations in fracture stress and fracture strain, with respect to pre-crack size, had similar trends for the three force-fields, AIREBO was more sensitive than REAXFF. The presence of cracks degraded the mechanical properties. Simulations of tensile tests on the qHPC60/graphene composite revealed that the graphene substrate significantly increased mechanical strength. Our results suggest qHPC60 holds various promising implications for composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene Composites)
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13 pages, 3642 KiB  
Article
Exploiting Laser-Induced Graphene Composites as Substrates for Copper-Mediated Nitrate Reduction
by Cameron Scott, Victoria Gilpin, Karl McCreadie and James Davis
J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7(9), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7090397 - 19 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1480
Abstract
The development of a nanostructured copper–laser-induced graphene (LIG) composite that can catalyze the reduction of nitrate is described. The system was characterized using a range of surface analytical methods (SEM, Raman, DekTak profilometry). The electrochemical performance of the copper mesh in reducing nitrate [...] Read more.
The development of a nanostructured copper–laser-induced graphene (LIG) composite that can catalyze the reduction of nitrate is described. The system was characterized using a range of surface analytical methods (SEM, Raman, DekTak profilometry). The electrochemical performance of the copper mesh in reducing nitrate was investigated, the nature of the catalytic response was elucidated, and the influence of potential interferences was critically appraised. The adaptation of the system as the basis of an electrochemical sensor for nitrate was assessed, which displayed a limit of detection of 4.7 μM nitrate. The analytical applicability in authentic media was evaluated through the analysis of two surface water samples and validated by standard spectroscopic (nitrate reductase–Griess methods). The LIG substrate offers a simple, scalable route towards the reduction of nitrate with a construction simplicity and sensitivity that is competitive with much more complex nanomaterials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene Composites)
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11 pages, 3464 KiB  
Article
Effect of Graphite Nanoplatelets Content and Distribution on the Electromagnetic Shielding Attenuation Mechanisms in 2D Nanocomposites
by Fabrizia Cilento, Claudio Curcio, Alfonso Martone, Angelo Liseno, Amedeo Capozzoli and Michele Giordano
J. Compos. Sci. 2022, 6(9), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6090257 - 6 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1712
Abstract
Bidimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene, respond to the rising demand for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, followed by the advancements in wireless technology and increased signal sensitivity in electronic devices, especially for the safety of aircraft and other structures. Lightweight nanocomposites reinforced with [...] Read more.
Bidimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene, respond to the rising demand for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, followed by the advancements in wireless technology and increased signal sensitivity in electronic devices, especially for the safety of aircraft and other structures. Lightweight nanocomposites reinforced with 2D carbonaceous nanofillers can replace metals thanks to their ability to attenuate electromagnetic waves and low susceptibility to corrosion. In this work, the EMI shielding properties in the X band (8–12 GHz) of high content graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposites have been investigated. Both the effect of filler content and the nanoarchitecture have been studied. For this purpose, two different configurations have been considered, compact and porous, varying the filler content (from 10 wt% to 90 wt%) and the thickness of the samples. Specifically, four different systems have been tested: thin (i) and thick (ii) compact laminates and thin (iii) and thick (iv) porous coatings. The morphology of the material significantly influences its electromagnetic response in terms of reflection and absorption capacity. Maximum effective absorption of 80% was found for disordered structures, while a maximum reflection of about 90% was found for system highly aligned structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene Composites)
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15 pages, 4450 KiB  
Article
Non-Destructive and Destructive Testing to Analyse the Effects of Processing Parameters on the Tensile and Flexural Properties of FFF-Printed Graphene-Enhanced PLA
by Javaid Butt, Raghunath Bhaskar and Vahaj Mohaghegh
J. Compos. Sci. 2022, 6(5), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6050148 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3253
Abstract
The significance of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods cannot be overstated as they help to evaluate the properties of a material without damaging/fracturing it. However, their applicability is dependent on their ability to provide reliable correlation with destructive tests such as tensile and flexural. [...] Read more.
The significance of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods cannot be overstated as they help to evaluate the properties of a material without damaging/fracturing it. However, their applicability is dependent on their ability to provide reliable correlation with destructive tests such as tensile and flexural. This correlation becomes more problematic when the material is not homogeneous, such is the case with parts manufactured using a popular additive manufacturing process termed as fused filament fabrication (FFF). This process also requires optimisation of its parameters to achieve desired results. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of four different nozzle temperatures, print bed temperatures, and print speeds on FFF-printed Haydale’s Synergy Graphene Enhanced Super Tough PLA through three non-destructive (ultrasonic, hardness, strain) and two destructive (tensile, flexural) testing methods. Samples were manufactured using Anet® ET4 Pro 3D printer and evaluated as per British and International standards. Two non-destructive tests, i.e., ultrasonic and hardness have been associated with evaluating the tensile properties of the manufactured parts. These results were correlated with destructive tensile testing and showed good agreement. The NDT method of strain measurement showed a very good correlation with the destructive three-point flexural test and was able to provide a reliable evaluation of flexural properties as a function of all three processing parameters. The results presented in this work highlight the importance of NDT methods and how they can be used to evaluate different properties of a material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene Composites)
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17 pages, 3043 KiB  
Article
Electrodeposition from a Graphene Bath: A Sustainable Copper Composite Alloy in a Graphene Matrix
by Hayley Richardson, Charles Bopp, Bao Ha, Reeba Thomas and Kalathur S.V. Santhanam
J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5010009 - 31 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4301
Abstract
The leaching effect of metals has led to the introduction of government regulations for the safety of the environment and humans. This has led to the search for new alloys with long-lasting sustainability. Herein, we wish to report a new brass alloy containing [...] Read more.
The leaching effect of metals has led to the introduction of government regulations for the safety of the environment and humans. This has led to the search for new alloys with long-lasting sustainability. Herein, we wish to report a new brass alloy containing carbon with a remarkable sustainability produced by electrodeposition from a graphene quantum dots bath. The electrochemical measurements were carried out using cyclic voltammetry, potentiodynamic analysis, and Tafel measurements, and the deposits were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Raman imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the surface morphology and elemental compositions. The current–time transients in the potential-step electrolysis were used to investigate the nucleation and growth mechanism. The smooth and compact deposit obtained at −0.60 V showed a composition of Cu = 24.33 wt %; Zn = 0.089 wt %; and C = 75.57 wt %. The SEM and energy dispersion X-ray analysis revealed a surface morphology with a uniform distribution of the particles and the presence of Cu, Zn, and C. The corrosion density of the material is very much lower than that of conventional brass, suggesting a higher sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene Composites)
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17 pages, 2210 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Graphite Composite Foams for Oil Spill Recovery Application
by Vincenza Brancato, Elpida Piperopoulos, Emanuela Mastronardo, Luigi Calabrese, Candida Milone and Edoardo Proverbio
J. Compos. Sci. 2020, 4(4), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs4040154 - 19 Oct 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2180
Abstract
The aim of this paper is the synthesis and characterization of a composite silicone foam filled with expanded graphite (EG) for oil spill recovery applications. The EG foams were obtained using a foaming slurry consisting of a mixture of siloxane compounds as the [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is the synthesis and characterization of a composite silicone foam filled with expanded graphite (EG) for oil spill recovery applications. The EG foams were obtained using a foaming slurry consisting of a mixture of siloxane compounds as the matrix with an EG filler. The effect of the filler content’s performance on an innovative composite silicone-based foam was investigated. All the obtained samples exhibited an open cell morphology. Each foam was evaluated in four commonly used oils (kerosene, pump oil, naphtha and crude oil). Additionally, kinetics was studied in order to investigate the physical, chemical and mass transport mechanisms that act during the absorption phenomenon and uptake evolution of the contaminants. Foam filled with 3% of EG exhibited the highest absorption capacity, particularly with light oils kerosene and virgin naphtha (854 and 1016 wt.%, respectively). Furthermore, the kinetic study showed that pseudo-second order mechanisms better fitted the composite absorption performances, suggesting that the oil sorption into EG filled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foams could be related to chemisorption mechanism. The results evidenced a good oil sorption capability and water/oil selectivity indicating this class of materials as a potentially applicable material for oil spill remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene Composites)
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