Researchers develop novel method to produce 3D printed graphene oxide-silica hybrid structures - 3D Printing Industry
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Researchers develop novel method to produce 3D printed graphene oxide-silica hybrid structures

Researchers from Spain’sInstitute of Ceramics and Glass(ICV)以及微电子和纳米统计研究所Aix-Marseille University已经使用3D印刷石墨烯氧化石墨蛋白支架作为轻质混合结构的基础,这些结构保留了许多石墨烯所需的特性,包括电导率和水吸附能力。

研究人员渗透到石墨烯氧化物scaffolds with an alkoxide precursor solution to produce the hybrid structures, which display potential suitability for applications such as pollutant removal, water filtering, catalysis, drug delivery, and energy production and storage.

Schematic of the synthesis process used for fabricating silica (or SiAl)/rGO hybrids via infiltration of the 3D rGO scaffold (a,b), gelling with basic vapours (c) and ethanol washing (d). Image via Journal of the European Ceramic Society.
Schematic of the synthesis process used for fabricating silica (or SiAl)/rGO hybrids via infiltration of the 3D rGO scaffold (a,b), gelling with basic vapours (c) and ethanol washing (d). Image via Journal of the European Ceramic Society.

3D打印石墨烯的限制

An allotrope of carbon, graphene has become a common element in research connected with energy production and microelectronics, as well as in the development of new technologies such as biomedicine and sensing. The material is highly desired for itslightweight properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. Although, as much of graphene’s potential comes from deploying the material in its monolayer form, utilizing graphene for 3D printing still presents significant challenges.

However, researchers fromVirginia Techand劳伦斯·利弗莫尔国家实验室(LLNL)have taken further steps towardsharnessing graphene’s potential在开发了一种高分辨率的3D打印方法之后,涉及石墨烯内部凝胶中的分散以制造3D可打印树脂。LLNL还与团队合作加利福尼亚大学, Santa Cruz, on a 3D printing technique forgraphene-based aerogel electrodes在储能设备中使用。

Graphene has also been leveraged for the creation of3D打印的自感盔甲运输网络的现代化. Elsewhere, new research has revealed how thestructure of water changeswhen in contact with the surface of graphene.

最近,诺丁汉大学的研究人员添加剂中心用石墨烯在3D打印电子设备的3D打印中取得了突破,开发了一个基于喷墨的3D打印技术that could pave the way for replacing single-layer graphene as a contact material for 2D metal semiconductors.

在弗吉尼亚理工大学/LLNL研究中,制作的晶格“桁架”和能力印刷石墨烯。图像通过材料视野
Lattice “trusses” and gyroidal 3D printed graphene made in the Virginia Tech/LLNL study. Image via Materials Horizons

Creating the graphene oxide-silica structures

氧化石墨烯被认为是生产具有高孔隙率,电导率,柔韧性和较大表面积的3D连接的轻质结构的可行构件。科学家的目的是解决一些氧化石墨烯的缺点,例如其机械弱点和火焰暴露的脆弱性,通过将其他材料固定在3D石墨烯结构上以创建混合材料或复合材料。

First, the researchers 3D printed graphene oxide scaffolds using a water-based ink prepared with graphene oxide nanosheets, a three-axis robocasting system from3-D Inks LLC, and RoboCAD software. The scaffolds were printed via a 410 μm diameter needle into a cuboid consisting of 16 layers of evenly spaced rods, which were placed at right angles relative to the adjacent layers.

然后,通过将它们浸入液氮中10秒钟,然后将结构冻结10秒钟,然后被冻干(冷冻干燥),并在石墨炉中以1,200摄氏度处理,以增强氧化石墨烯的还原。此时,3D打印的石墨烯氧化物结构的测量为12x12x5mm。

下一个阶段涉及通过研究人员所说的溶胶 - 凝胶途径渗透氧化石墨烯支架,该路线涉及低温凝胶与氨蒸气的交联。

Two solutions were prepared containing tetraethyl orthosilicate, ethanol, deionized water, and hydrochloric acid, named SiO2 sol (silica) and SiAl sol (silica-alumina). The graphene oxide scaffolds were half immersed in each sol for five minutes within an airtight container, before being placed on a resting platform just above the liquid level. The samples were held here for 24 hours at room temperature in order to induce extended condensation and rigidness of the impregnated structure through ammonia catalysis. Afterwards, the scaffolds were washed with ethanol to remove any vapor residue.

Comparing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the different materials. (a) the original graphene oxide scaffold, (b-e) graphene oxide-silica structures. Image via Journal of the European Ceramic Society.
Comparing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the different materials. (a) the original graphene oxide scaffold, (b-e) graphene oxide-silica structures. Image via Journal of the European Ceramic Society.

Results and potential applications

研究人员发现,与未处理的氧化石墨烯型支架相比,3D印刷石墨烯氧化石二氧化硅结构保持高度多孔,而其压缩强度在250-800%之间增加了。混合结构还保持了“重要的电导率”,但主要增强在结构的亲水性质中。

The scaffold’s ultra-fine silica-based covering was observed to have an important influence on the structure’s wetting characteristics. The structure became totally hydrophilic in comparison to the untreated graphene oxide scaffold, while its water adsorption capacities were improved ten-fold.

石墨烯氧化石墨二氧化硅结构的增强表明它们可以适合用作吸收剂,去除污染物,气体传感,热储存或在光催化水分分裂应用中。

Further details of the study can be found in the article titled通过打印和溶胶凝胶途径实现的稳健和导电介孔氧化石墨烯氧化石墨氧化物杂种透明,发表在《欧洲陶瓷学会杂志》上。该研究由J.J.合着Moyano,J。Loizillon,D。Pérez-Coll, M. Belmonte, P. Miranzo, D. Grosso, and M. I. Osendi.

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特色图像显示比较扫描电子microscope (SEM) images of the different materials. (a) the original graphene oxide scaffold, (b-e) graphene oxide-silica structures. Image via Journal of the European Ceramic Society.