PolyHIPE foams from pristine graphene: Strong, porous, and electrically conductive materials templated by a 2D surfactant.

Graphene is attractive as a functional 2D surfactant for polymerized high internal phase emulsions (polyHIPEs) due to its remarkable mechanical and electrical properties. We have developed polyHIPEs stabilized by pristine, unoxidized graphene via the spontaneous exfoliation of graphite at high-energy aqueous/organic interfaces. The exfoliated graphene self-assembles into a percolating network and incorporates into the polyHIPE cell walls as verified by TEM.

Graphene and Poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):Poly(4-styrenesulfonate) on Nonwoven Fabric as a Room Temperature Metal and Its Application as Dry Electrodes for Electrocardiography.

Highly conductive, metal-like poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nonwoven fabric was prepared by coating poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) onto PET nonwoven fabric previously coated with graphene/graphite. The sheet resistance of the original nonwoven fabric decreases from >80 MΩ□ to 1.1 Ω□ after coating with 10.

Controlled 3D Assembly of Graphene Sheets to Build Conductive, Chemically Selective and Shape-Responsive Materials.

Driven by the surface activity of graphene, electrically conductive elastomeric foams have been synthesized by the controlled reassembly of graphene sheets; from their initial stacked morphology, as found in graphite, to a percolating network of exfoliated sheets, defining hollow spheres. This network creates a template for the formation of composite foams, whose swelling behavior is sensitive to the composition of the solvent, and whose electrical resistance is sensitive to physical deformation. The self-assembly of graphene sheets is driven thermodynamically, as graphite is found to act as a 2D surfactant and is spread at high-energy interfaces.

Conductive thin films of pristine graphene by solvent interface trapping.

Graphite's insolubility in conventional solvents is a major obstacle to its utilization. This challenge is typically addressed by chemical modification such as oxidation, followed by reduction. However, pristine graphene possesses superior properties as oxidation and reduction lead to degradation of the graphene.