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

A method for fabricating a composite comprising:

• a) providing a phase separated system, wherein the phase separated system is an oil and water based system having an interface between the oil and water;
• b) introducing substantially pristine graphene or substantially pristine graphite to the interface of the oil and water based system wherein the substantially pristine layered material includes pristine graphene or graphite;
• c) forming a water/oil emulsion with the oil phase of the emulsion including monomers, the water/oil emulsion including spheres of water surrounded by oil, the spheres of water coated and stabilized by layers or sheets of the substantially pristine graphene or substantially pristine graphite;
• d) polymerizing the oil phase of the emulsion to form a polymeric matrix material having substantially spherical cavities lined with layers or sheets of the substantially pristine graphene or substantially pristine graphite, the oil phase of the emulsion the continuous phase of the emulsion;
• and
• e) removing the water from the polymeric matrix material;
• wherein after step e), the polymeric matrix material has an open pore foam structure, and is electrically conductive.