https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/768408.pdf

Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites

The stability of two-dimensional (2D) layers and membranes is subject of a long standing theoretical debate. According to the so called Mermin-Wagner theorem, long wavelength fluctuations destroy the long-range order for 2D crystals. Similarly, 2D membranes embedded in a 3D space have a tendency to be crumpled. These dangerous fluctuations can, however, be suppressed by anharmonic coupling between bending and stretching modes making that a two-dimensional membrane can exist but should present strong height fluctuations. The discovery of graphene, the first truly 2D crystal and the recent experimental observation of ripples in freely hanging graphene makes these issues especially important. Beside the academic interest, understanding the mechanisms of stability of graphene is crucial for understanding electronic transport in this material that is attracting so much interest for its unusual Dirac spectrum and electronic properties. Here we address the nature of these height fluctuations by means of straightforward atomistic Monte Carlo simulations based on a very accurate many-body interatomic potential for carbon. We find that ripples spontaneously appear due to thermal fluctuations with a size distribution peaked around 70 \AA which is compatible with experimental findings (50-100 \AA) but not with the current understanding of stability of flexible membranes. This unexpected result seems to be due to the multiplicity of chemical bonding in carbon.

Intrinsic ripples in graphene

Transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), a family of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic compounds, are materials composed of a few atomic layers of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. Ti3C2, the first 2D layered MXene, was isolated in 2011. This material, which is a layered bulk material analogous to graphite, was derived from its 3D phase, Ti3AlC2 MAX. Since then, material scientists have either determined or predicted the stable phases of >200 different MXenes based on combinations of various transition metals such as Ti, Mo, V, Cr, and their alloys with C and N. Extensive experimental and theoretical studies have shown their exciting potential for energy conversion and electrochemical storage. To this end, we comprehensively summarize the current advances in MXene research. We begin by reviewing the structure types and morphologies and their fabrication routes. The review then discusses the mechanical, electrical, optical, and electrochemical properties of MXenes. The focus then turns to their exciting potential in energy storage and conversion. Energy storage applications include electrodes in rechargeable lithium- and sodium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and supercapacitors. In terms of energy conversion, photocatalytic fuel production, such as hydrogen evolution from water splitting, and carbon dioxide reduction are presented. The potential of MXenes for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water, such as dye waste, is also addressed, along with their promise as catalysts for ammonium synthesis from nitrogen. Finally, their application potential is summarized.

Applications of 2D MXenes in energy conversion and storage systems

Heterocyclic pyrrole molecules are in situ aligned and polymerized in the -absence of an oxidant between layers of the 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene), resulting in high volumetric and gravimetric capacitances with capacitance retention of 92% after 25,000 cycles at a 100 mV s(-1) scan rate.

Pseudocapacitive Electrodes Produced By Oxidant-Free Polymerization of Pyrrole Between the Layers of 2D Titanium Carbide (MXene)

Multifunctional and Water-Resistant MXene-Decorated Polyester Textiles with Outstanding Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Joule Heating Performances

Two dimensional MXene materials have demonstrated attractive electrical and electrochemical properties for various applications, particularly in energy storage, benefiting from their intrinsic 2D atomic thick topological structures. However, assembling MXene into macroscopic fibers with regular alignment still remains a huge challenge, inherently due to the insufficient interlaminar interaction between MXene sheets and the lack of well-developed assembling techniques. Herein, we report a wet-spinning assembly strategy for the continuous fabrication of MXene-based fibers through a synergistic effect between graphene oxides liquid crystals and MXene sheets. MXene sheets are orderly aligned between graphene oxides liquid crystalline templates and assembled into hybrid fibers with the highest MXene mass ratio achieving 95 w/w%. An excellent overall fiber electrical conductivity (2.9 × 104 S m−1) and superior volumetric capacitance (586.4 F cm−3) of the integrated fiber-constructed supercapacitor exceeding those of neat reduced graphene fibers were achieved.

MXene/graphene hybrid fibers for high performance flexible supercapacitors

Carbon aerogels demonstrate wide applications for their ultralow density, rich porosity, and multifunctionalities. Their compressive elasticity has been achieved by different carbons. However, reversibly high stretchability of neat carbon aerogels is still a great challenge owing to their extremely dilute brittle interconnections and poorly ductile cells. Here we report highly stretchable neat carbon aerogels with a retractable 200% elongation through hierarchical synergistic assembly. The hierarchical buckled structures and synergistic reinforcement between graphene and carbon nanotubes enable a temperature-invariable, recoverable stretching elasticity with small energy dissipation (~0.1, 100% strain) and high fatigue resistance more than 106 cycles. The ultralight carbon aerogels with both stretchability and compressibility were designed as strain sensors for logic identification of sophisticated shape conversions. Our methodology paves the way to highly stretchable carbon and neat inorganic materials with extensive applications in aerospace, smart robots, and wearable devices.

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Highly stretchable carbon aerogels

Graphene fiber (GF) is a macroscopically assembled fibrous material made of individual units of graphene and its derivatives. Beyond traditional carbon fibers, graphene building blocks consisting of regulable sizes and regular orientations of GF are expected to generate extreme mechanical and transport properties, as well as multiple functions in smart electronic fibrous devices and textiles. Here, the features of GF are presented along four lines: preparation, morphology, structure-performance correlations, and state-of-the-art applications as flexible and wearable electronics. The principles, experiments, and keys of fabricating GF from graphite with different methods, focusing on the industrially viable mainstream strategy, wet spinning, are introduced. Then, the fundamental relationship between the mechanical and transport properties and the structure, including both highly condensed structures for high-performance and hierarchical structures for multiple functions, is presented. The advances of GF based on structure-performance formulas boost its functional applications, especially in electronic devices. Finally, the possible promotion methods and structural-functional integrated applications of GF are discussed.

A Review on Graphene Fibers: Expectations, Advances, and Prospects.

All-inorganic fibers composed of neat 2D crystals possessing fascinating performance (e.g., alternately stacking layers, high mechanical strength, favorable electrical conductivity, and fire-resistance) are discussed in detail. We developed a wet-spinning assmebly strategy to achieve continuous all-inorganic fibers of montmorillonite (MMT) nanoplatelets by incorporation of a graphene oxide (GO) liquid crystal (LC) template at a rate of 9 cm/s, and the templating role of GO LC is confirmed by in situ confocal laser scanning microscopy and polarized optical microscopy inspections. After protofibers underwent thermal reduction, the obtained binary complex fibers composed of neat 2D crystals integrate the outstanding fire-retardance of MMT nanoplatelets and the excellent conductivity of graphene nanosheets. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscope observations reveal the microstructures of fibers with compactly stacking layers. MMT-graphene fibers show increaing tensile strengths (88-270 MPa) and electrical conductivities (130-10500 S/m) with increasing graphene fraction. MMT-graphene (10/90) fibers are used as fire-resistant (bearing temperature in air: 600-700 °C), lightweight (ρ < 1.62 g/cm(3)) conductors (conductivity: up to 1.04 × 10(4) S/m) in view of their superior performance in high-temperature air beyond commercial T700 carbon fibers. We attribute the fire-resistance of MMT-graphene fibers to the armor-like protection of MMT layers, which could shield graphene layers from the action of oxidative etching. The composite fibers worked well as fire-resistant conductors when being heated to glowing red by an alcohol lamp. Our GO LC-templating wet-spinning strategy may also inspire the continuous assembly of other layered crystals into high-performance composite fibers.

Wet-spinning of continuous montmorillonite-graphene fibers for fire-resistant lightweight conductors

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) humidity sensor based on AlN/Si (doped) layered structure and graphene oxide (GO) sensing layer is proposed for high sensitivity and low temperature coefficient of frequency. With the GO thin film, the sensitivity of the humidity sensor is increased to 42.08 kHz/RH% when the relative humidity is greater than 80%RH. The humidity sensor performs well even at both very low (≤10%RH) and very high (≥90%RH) detection range of humidity. The present sensor has low hysteresis, excellent short term repeatability and long term stability (variation less than ± 2%). The sensor also shows a fast response and short recovery time. Moreover, using the AlN/Si (doped) layered structure, the thermal stability of the sensor is significantly improved. After being covered with GO thin film, the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of the sensor is further reduced to −22.1 ppm/°C, much smaller than the previously reported SAW humidity sensors.

Bo Fang

Papers

MXene/graphene hybrid fibers for high performance flexible supercapacitors

Highly stretchable carbon aerogels

A Review on Graphene Fibers: Expectations, Advances, and Prospects.

Wet-spinning of continuous montmorillonite-graphene fibers for fire-resistant lightweight conductors

A high performance humidity sensor based on surface acoustic wave and graphene oxide on AlN/Si layered structure