Synthesis of a Pillared Graphene Nanostructure: A Counterpart of Three‐Dimensional Carbon Architectures

Abstract

Graphene is a single sheet of carbon atoms with outstanding electrical and physical properties and is being exploited for applications in electronics, sensors, photovoltaics, and energy storage. A novel 3D architecture called a pillared graphene nanostructure (PGN) is a combination of two allotropes of carbon, including graphene and carbon nanotubes. A one-step chemical vapor deposition process for large-area PGN fabrication via a combination of surface catalysis and in situ vapor-liquid-solid mechanisms is described. A process by which PGN layers can be transferred onto arbitrary substrates while keeping the 3D architecture intact is also described. Single and multilayer stacked PGNs are envisioned for future ultralarge and tunable surface-area applications in hydrogen storage and supercapacitors.

A seamless three-dimensional carbon nanotube graphene hybrid material

“…In all previously reported experimental work [21][22][23][24] on similar three-dimensional graphene and CNT hybrid materials, the highquality, single-and few-walled CNT carpets were not grown, nor were they shown with demonstrated seamless junction. To introduce the direct contact between a graphitic substrate and the CNTs, there was typically no buffer layer, which results in low surface area, multi-walled CNT growth.…”

“…These two different growth conditions hamper attempts to covalently combine the two materials during growth. As a result, attempts to grow graphene and CNT carpet hybrid material [21][22][23][24] have failed to match the predicted values on SSA, electrical connection or both. Several facts explain the mismatch between the experimental results and theoretical predictions: first, the quality of graphene is not well controlled.…”

“…Many of the best properties of the general class of compounds that comprise CNTs, such as high SSA and large aspect ratio, are based on SWCNTs, which were the properties used in the theoretical modelling [12][13][14] . However, the CNTs synthesized [21][22][23] were multi-walled CNTs with large diameters that have much lower SSA and more defects when compared with SWCNTs. Third and most important, although those reports referred to the products as graphene/CNT hybrid material, the actual connection between the CNTs and graphene was not studied.…”

On the charge transfer between single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene

“…1 It is therefore of great interest to use them in hybrid multifunctional architectures where the unique properties of both materials are utilized synergistically. Indeed there have been several recent reports in the literature on hybrids between nanotubes and graphene in a variety of different configurations, [2][3][4] and that have exhibited superior performances in applications such as energy storage and optics. [5][6][7] The nanotube/graphene hybrid devices rely on electronic interactions between the constituents, and it is important to understand these interactions at a fundamental level.…”

Mechanical behavior of carbon nanotube and graphene junction as a building block for 3D carbon nanostructures

“…Thereafter, several experimental works have been pursued to fabricate and characterize the pillared GS. [37][38][39][41][42][43] Regardless of the great theoretical and experimental interests together with important technological potential, there is a notable lack of knowledge on mechanical behavior of carbon composite nanostructures as a result of technical difficulties. 57 The objective of this study is mechanical investigation of GS in CNT-GS junction during in-plane loading while it possesses desirable out-of-plane mechanical properties and examination of the CNT role in improvement of defected GS's mechanical properties.…”