Versatile mechanically strong and highly conductive chemically converted graphene aerogels

Abstract

Many efforts have been devoted to fabricating three-dimensional graphene-derived aerogels owing to their promising real-world applications. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate a pure graphene-based aerogels with both high mechanical strength and conductivity. In this study, we report a facile and scalable method to prepare pure chemically converted graphene aerogels (CCGA) from high-concentration gel precursors with the assistance of two-step freeze-drying. The CCGA demonstrates a high compressive strength of 106.1 kPa under a strain of 80%. Its resistance in the thickness direction is variable and reaches as low as 6.6 Ω at a compressive strain of 90%. The aerogels also show many interesting behaviors and properties, including promising Joule heating-assisted oil absorption, non-flammability, and the ability to sense a wide range of applied pressure.