Laser-induced graphene technology produces large-size graphene paper without a substation

Recently, the team of Professors of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, successfully used advanced laser-induced graphene technology (Laser Induced Graphene, LIG) to produce large-scale graphene paper without a substation, and its latest research results were published online by the well-known journals Small (IF:9.598, Q1) and Carbon (IF:7.082, Q1). Wang Yanan, a 2017 doctoral student at the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, and Wang Yong, a 2016 master's student, are the first authors of the article, with Professor Rosda as the sole author of the two articles and the only communication unit at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
advantages and preparation methods of graphene paper
In recent years, graphene has become a hot field of scientific research
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. Among them, graphene paper (GP) as a self-supporting macro two-dimensional material has ultra-light, ultra-thin, high strength, high conductive heat conductivity characteristics, in flexible electronics, intelligent structure, energy storage devices, biomedical and other fields have potential application value. However, the preparation of traditional GP mainly depends on the liquid phase assembly method, its raw materials are expensive, the process is cumbersome, the processing efficiency is low, is not conducive to large-scale preparation and application. To address this problem, in 2014, James Tour, a renowned chemist at Rice University in the United States, proposed advanced laser-induced graphene technology (Laser Induced Graphene, LIG), which not only significantly reduces production costs, but also makes the preparation of flexible graphene devices simple and efficient. However, the research and method of using advanced LIG technology to prepare large-size graphene paper without substite has not been put forward, and the application of LIG technology and devices has been restricted to a certain extent. Professor Rosda's team used this as an opportunity to conduct a series of studies to find possible manufacturing methods.
In seeking inspiration from small differences in results
Professor Rosda's team, in a systematic study using a variety of polymer films to prepare LIG strain sensors, stumbled upon that porous polyimide fiber polymerized films (PI paper) could produce LIG structures with significantly improved surface flatness and conductivity compared to other polymer substrates. So Professor Luo was inspired to begin to guide the team to systematically explore and verify how to convert PI paper into a LIG structure on a whole under large-scale processing conditions, and to maintain high flatness and conductivity while maintaining good electrical stability.
, Rosda's team successfully used advanced LIG technology to prepare large-size graphene paper that did not depend on substation support. At the same time, the study found that PI paper has a special porous layer fiber network structure, can evenly absorb the energy of CO2 laser irradiation, and greatly inhibit the graphiteization process caused by structural deformation, stress concentration, looseness, breakage, loss of focus and other processing problems, thus ensuring the continuous large-size processing of GP materials. At present, the maximum area of a single GP material prepared is 1400cm2, which has reached one of the maximum sizes of the existing laboratory-grade graphene paper preparation. In addition, the flexibility and toughness of the GP material ensures that it can achieve a variety of multi-scale complex structures through laser secondary processing, and can be further integrated with advanced industrial materials such as resins and silicones.
Figure 1. Advanced laser continuous manufacturing and multi-mode morphological processing of graphene paper
Through the exploration and research of the relationship between processing structure performance of the system, the advanced laser-induced GP material has excellent characteristics such as hydraulics, electricity, thermochemistry, etc., and can be used for wearable gesture recognition, robot motion capture, oil-water separation, antibacterial interface and advanced aviation resin-based composite structure with flame retardant, anti-icing, structural health monitoring, etc.
Figure 2. Laser-induced graphene paper's regulatable structure, performance and versatile applications
an outlook and message for the future
For future research, Professor Rosda's team will continue to explore the direction of laser-induced graphene paper, based on existing research results, to tap into the potential of this advanced technology combining digital control and cutting-edge nanomaterials in various fields. At the same time, the team will continue to study the high-volume continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of graphene paper in depth, exploring its commercial prospects and creating more value.
" in the process of scientific research, the plan usually can not keep up with change, the initial idea may and the results of the process are very different. But it is this very different result that may inspire the idea of renewal. At the end of the interview, Professor Rosda said. In the process of scientific research, every seemingly abnormal result may become a new breakthrough point, so we must pay attention to every result. In addition, Professor Rosda tells us to look at the world and track the state of frontier development in real time. Once there are new ideas to draw on, you can stand on the shoulders of giants and come up with clearer ideas for future research iterations.
Conclusion: Professor
Rosda's team proposed low-cost large-area laser-induced graphene paper technology, can bring some guiding ideas and scientific significance to macro graphene materials and structures, as well as commercial applications. For future research, Professor Rosda's team will continue to explore the direction of laser-induced graphene paper, tapping into the potential of this advanced technology, which combines digitally controlled manufacturing with cutting-edge nanomaterials, in various fields. At the same time, the team will continue to study the high-volume continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of graphene paper in depth, exploring its commercial prospects and creating more value. We also look forward to greater breakthroughs and achievements in this area.
research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation youth program, the National Center for Innovation in Commercial Aircraft Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, and the Aviation Science Fund.