Graphene/graphite polymer composite foam derived from emulsions stabilized by graphene kinetic trapping

Abstract

The present disclosure provides advantageous graphene/graphite stabilized composites (e.g., graphene/graphite stabilized emulsion-templated foam composites), and improved methods for fabricating such graphene/graphite stabilized composites. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved methods for fabricating pristine, graphene/graphite/polymer composite foams derived from emulsions stabilized by graphene/graphite kinetic trapping. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides that, instead of viewing the insolubility of pristine graphene/graphite as an obstacle to be overcome, it is utilized as a means to create or fabricate water/oil emulsions, with graphene/graphite stabilizing the spheres formed. These emulsions are then the frameworks used to make foam composites that have shown bulk conductivities up to about 2 S/m, as well as compressive moduli up to about 100 MPa and breaking strengths of over 1200 psi, with densities as low as about 0.25 g/cm3.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.