Z-Laminating Assembly of Graphene Nanoflakes for Super-Strong Membranes and Functional Coatings
Journal
ACS Applied Nano Materials
Journal Volume
7
Journal Issue
13
Start Page
14957
End Page
14963
ISSN
2574-0970
2574-0970
Date Issued
2024-06-27
Author(s)
Ian Daniell Santos
Patrick Tjarks
Jeyavelan Muthu
You-Chen Lin
Zhi-Long Yen
Pradyumna Kumar Chand
Radha Raman
Dinh Tuan Nguyen
Mehdi Rouhani
Yeau-Ren Jeng
Ya-Ping Hsieh
Abstract
We demonstrate the strengthening of graphene, an atomically thin carbon allotrope, by out-of-plane folding. Through lateral confinement of graphene at the water-air interface, nanoscale buckling was induced in suspended flakes, leading to an unexpected folding transition beyond a critical surface pressure. The emergence of folding was confirmed by in situ Brewster angle reflectivity and ex situ microscopy, showing a unique “z-laminated” nanostructure. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that z-lamination yields an enhanced adhesion between neighboring flakes compared to lateral sliding, which was confirmed by a surface pressure hysteresis during the folding process. Mechanical testing reveals superior Young’s modulus and yield strength when compared to conventional graphene assemblies and even compared to composites. We demonstrate the potential of the z-lamination approach for applications in graphene-based structural materials, tribological layers, and functional electrochemical coatings. Finally, the complete recyclability of z-laminated graphene opens up new routes toward sustainable nanostructured materials.
Subjects
2D materials
composites
laminated graphene
membranes
recyclable
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Type
journal article