Carbon Nanoparticle Hybrid Aerogels: 3D Double-Interconnected Network Porous Microstructure, Thermoelectric, and Solvent-Removal Functions.

Abstract

We report reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) hybrid aerogels with enhanced thermoelectric (TE) performance and removal of organic solvents by designing 3D double-interconnected network porous microstructures. A convenient, cost-effective, and scalable preparation procedure is proposed compared with conventional high-temperature pyrolysis and supercritical drying techniques. The obtained hybrid aerogels are systematically characterized by apparent density, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and porosity. An enhanced TE performance of ZT ≈ ∼8.03 × 10-3 has been achieved due to the 3D double-interconnected network porous microstructure, the energy-filtering effect, and the phonon scattering at the abundant interfaces and joints. In addition, upon a large axial compression deformation, a high degree of retention of the Seebeck coefficient and a simultaneously significant enhancement of the electrical conductivity are observed. Finally, the hybrid aerogels display high capability for the removal of diverse organic solvents and good recyclability. These findings open a new avenue for exploiting aerogels with multifunctions and widening the applications of TE materials by judicious microstructure design.