Enhanced mechanical properties of epoxy‐matrix nanocomposites reinforced with graphene synthesized in atmospheric plasmas

Nakahara, Kevin; Knego, Jacob; Sloop, Taylor; Bisquera, Chance; Subler, Nicole; Dato, Albert

doi:10.1002/ppap.201900244

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…On the other hand, for APMP, the use of sustainable precursors has not been reported yet. The APMP technique is mainly associated with ethanol [24][25][26][27][28][29] and methane resources. [30] These precursors are extracted from non-renewable bases and are mostly explosive or toxic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma‐Based Synthesis of Freestanding Graphene from a Natural Resource for Sensing Application

Zafar

Liu

Hernández

et al. 2023

Adv Materials Inter

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The bottomup approach, that is, modified Hummers' method, is a well-established chemical synthesis technique to synthesize graphene. However, this technique, not only utilizes strong acids and oxidants [4,5] but also entails numerous steps of synthesis such as dilution, mixing, oxidation, reduction, washing, centrifuging, and intense stirring. [6] On the other hand, some of the bottom-up methods, in particular, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) are expensive and laborious methodologies comprising pre-synthesis and post-synthesis requirements, that is, high vacuum, pre-heating, and subsequent transfer of graphene to other substrates. [7][8][9] Recently, a new bottom-up approach, so-called atmospheric pressure microwave plasma (APMP) is gaining popularity as it synthesizes graphene without the hassles of pre-heating, high vacuuming, and the need for a substrate. Most importantly, the graphene obtained through this method happens to be freestanding and scalable. [10,11] The precursors used for producing graphene have a significant role in determining the sustainability of the synthesis process. Often graphene is produced from commercially available graphite, [12] graphene oxide (GO), [13] methane, or other unreplenishable hydrocarbons. [14] These resources Atmospheric pressure microwave plasma has the lead in synthesizing freestanding and scalable graphene within seconds without the need for high vacuum and temperature. However, the process is limited in utilizing chemical sources for synthesis, such as methane and ethanol. Herein, the usage of an extract of a sustainable precursor, that is, Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as tea tree, is for the first time reported to synthesize graphene nanosheets in atmospheric pressure microwave plasma. The synthesis is carried out in a single step at a remarkably low microwave power of 200 W. The morphology, structure, and electrochemical properties of graphene are studied using state-of-the-art characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The TEM images reveal the presence of a combination of nanostructures such as nano-horns, nano-rods, or nano-onions consisting of multi-layer graphitic architectures. An excellent sensing capability of as-synthesized graphene is demonstrated through the detection of diuron herbicide. A commendable linear range of 20 µm to 1 mm and a limit of detection of 5 µm of diuron is recorded.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma‐Based Synthesis of Freestanding Graphene from a Natural Resource for Sensing Application

Zafar

Liu

Hernández

et al. 2023

Adv Materials Inter

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“…Furthermore, GSG can enhance the strength of ABS at a filler loading much smaller than that of graphene obtained through top-down approaches. GSG is a form of graphene that (1) exhibits a pure and highly ordered structure, (2) consists of single-, bi-, and few-layer sheets, , and (3) effectively disperses and resists aggregation in polymers, viscous fluids, and organic solvents . GSG is rapidly formed without substrates by delivering ethanol directly into atmospheric pressure microwave-generated argon plasmas. , The main byproducts of the substrate-free gas-phase synthesis process are CO and H 2 , which are useful gases that can be converted to fuels, lubricants, and other chemicals .…”

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confidence: 99%

Enhancing the Strength of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene with Gas-Phase-Synthesized Graphene for Injection-Molding Applications

Dato,

Griffin,

Bhutani

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Nano Mater.

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Increasing the strength-to-weight ratio of injection moldable polymers can benefit a broad range of applications, such as automobiles, aircraft, and consumer electronic devices. This paper demonstrates that incorporating miniscule quantities (0.1 wt %) of gas-phase-synthesized graphene into acrylonitrile−butadiene−styrene (ABS) can significantly increase the strength of injection-molded specimens by over 20%. The results transform our current understanding of the structure−property relationships of graphene-filled polymermatrix nanocomposites because highly crumpled graphene sheets with nonfunctionalized surfaces and nanometer-scale lateral dimensions are shown to be more effective at strengthening ABS than flat graphene flakes with functionalized surfaces and micrometer-scale lateral dimensions.

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“…The main byproducts of the substrate-free gas-phase synthesis process are CO and H 2 , which can be used to create fuels and other industrial chemicals . Gas-phase-synthesized graphene (GSG) consists of highly ordered single-layer, bilayer, and few-layered graphene sheets that have a mass composition of 98.9% C, 1.0% H, and 0.1% O. , The high quality of GSG has enabled the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging of soft–hard interfaces on nanomaterials, enhanced the mechanical properties of polymer–matrix nanocomposites, and improved the lubricating properties of motor oils . Here, we demonstrate that as-synthesized and unmodified GSG is inherently superhydrophobic.…”

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confidence: 99%

Lotus-Like Water Repellency of Gas-Phase-Synthesized Graphene

Miller

Parkinson

Dato

2022

ACS Materials Lett.

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The ability of lotus leaves to repel water is desired in numerous applications, such as self-cleaning surfaces, biomedical devices, and naval vessels. Creating materials that mimic the hierarchical structure and surface chemistry of lotus leaves requires multistep processes that are impractical for the mass production of nonwettable products. Superhydrophobic surfaces have been created using graphene. However, graphene sheets obtained through graphite exfoliation or deposition on substrates are not superhydrophobic and require additional processes to achieve lotus-like water repellency. In this work, we show that graphene produced in the gas phase is inherently superhydrophobic. Gas-phase-synthesized graphene (GSG) and lotus leaves have fundamentally different structures, yet water droplets on both materials exhibit comparable contact angles, roll-off angles, and bouncing characteristics. Furthermore, hydrophilic surfaces become superhydrophobic when covered with GSG. The substrate-free synthesis of GSG is straightforward and sustainable, which could enable the manufacturing of a diverse range of water-repellent technologies.

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Enhanced mechanical properties of epoxy‐matrix nanocomposites reinforced with graphene synthesized in atmospheric plasmas

Cited by 10 publications

References 18 publications

Plasma‐Based Synthesis of Freestanding Graphene from a Natural Resource for Sensing Application

Plasma‐Based Synthesis of Freestanding Graphene from a Natural Resource for Sensing Application

Enhancing the Strength of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene with Gas-Phase-Synthesized Graphene for Injection-Molding Applications

Lotus-Like Water Repellency of Gas-Phase-Synthesized Graphene

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