Graphene oxide fibers fuse reversibly

Abstract

With a quick soak in a solvent bath, researchers can fuse hundreds of graphene oxide (GO) fibers into a thicker cable ( Science 2021, DOI: 10.1126/science.abb6640 ). Another solvent bath then splits the cable back into its original fibers. The advance presents an easy, low-cost way to make strong, graphene-based yarns for electronics and smart materials that change shape when triggered. The yarn can also capture and release particles, which could be useful for pollutant-trapping fabrics and controllable delivery systems. Chao Gao and Zheng Li of Zhejiang University, Yilun Liu of Xi’an Jiaotong University, and their colleagues soak a bundle of hundreds of fibers in water or another solvent for up to 10 min. The fibers, which are made of GO flakes, swell. Flakes in the outer layer of each fiber pack tightly, creating a skin around each fiber. When the researchers remove the bundle from the solvent, surface tension