Abstract
Two-dimensional network-structured carbon nanoscale building blocks, going beyond graphene, are of fundamental importance, and creating such structures and developing their applications have broad implications in environment, electronics and energy. Here, we report a facile route, based on electro-spraying/netting, to self-assemble two-dimensional carbon nanostructured networks on a large scale. Manipulation of the dynamic ejection, deformation and assembly of charged droplets by control of Taylor cone instability and micro-electric field, enables the creation of networks with characteristics combining nanoscale diameters of one-dimensional carbon nanotube and lateral infinity of two-dimensional graphene. The macro-sized (meter-level) carbon nanostructured networks show extraordinary nanostructural properties, remarkable flexibility (soft polymeric mechanics having hard inorganic matrix), nanoscale-level conductivity, and outstanding performances in distinctly different areas like filters, separators, absorbents, and wearable electrodes, supercapacitors and cells. This work should make possible the innovative design of high-performance, multi-functional carbon nanomaterials for various applications.
Highlights
Two-dimensional network-structured carbon nanoscale building blocks, going beyond graphene, are of fundamental importance, and creating such structures and developing their applications have broad implications in environment, electronics and energy
The formation of nanostructured networks (N-nets) was due to a droplet ejection–deformation–assembly process that underlay Taylor cone instability and differential micro-electric driving
A closer transmission electron microscopy (TEM) look (Fig. 1b) revealed that the carbon N-nets had both characteristics of nanoscale diameters similar to 1D carbon nanotube and lateral structures like 2D graphene
Summary
Two-dimensional network-structured carbon nanoscale building blocks, going beyond graphene, are of fundamental importance, and creating such structures and developing their applications have broad implications in environment, electronics and energy. Despite extensive efforts existing carbon fibrous nanomaterials mainly depend on deposition of 1D carbon nanotubes and electrospun nanofibers, in which, the nanotubes suffer from poor continuity (length 200 nm or μm in diameter is inevitable[17,18,19,20,21] They both assemble into randomdeposited nonwovens lacking of interior linking, rather than into organized networks. Using these unique N-nets as innovative building blocks, we assembled macro-sized (meter level) carbon nanomaterials that presented nanoscale properties, high flexibility (1050 MPa while softer than napkins), conductivity (920 S cm–1, as high as single carbon nanofiber), etc. The same nanomaterials exhibited advanced properties for very different applications like filters, separators, absorbents, wearable electrodes, supercapacitors, and cells
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
