Reconstruction of Inherent Graphene Oxide Liquid Crystals for Large-Scale Fabrication of Structure-Intact Graphene Aerogel Bulk toward Practical Applications.

Abstract

The inherently formed liquid crystals (LCs) of graphene oxide (GO) in aqueous dispersions severely restrict the fabrication of large-size and structure-intact graphene aerogel bulk by an industry-applicable method. Herein, by developing a surfactant-foaming sol-gel method to effectively disrupt and reconstruct the inherent GO LCs via microbubbles as templates, we achieve the large-size and structure-intact graphene hydrogel bulk (GHB). After simple freezing and air-drying, the resulting graphene aerogel bulk (GAB) with a structure-intact size of about 1 m2 exhibits a superelasticity of up to 99% compressive strain, ultralow density of 2.8 mg cm-3, and quick solar-thermal conversion ability. The modified GAB (GABTP) shows a high decomposition temperature ( Tmax) of 735 °C in air and a low heat storage capacity. These excellent performances make the GABs suitable for many practical applications, as proven in this work, including as high compressive force absorbers, high absorption materials for oils or dangerous solvents, superior solar-thermal management materials for rapid heater or controlled shelter, and high-efficiency fire-resistant and thermal insulation materials. The whole preparation process is easily scalable and cost-effective for mass production of structure-intact multifunctional graphene aerogel bulk toward practical applications.