Shuai Zhou,Xiang Zhou,Gazi Hao,Wei Jiang,Tianhe Wang
Modulation of the density (from 3.5 to 64 mg cm −3 ), hydrophobicity and oil-uptake capability of graphene aerogels in extensive ranges were achieved by reacting (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPS) with graphene oxide solutions under heating. The reaction allowed a characteristic silicone substructure to be formed on graphene and joint the graphene layers firmly together. With the increase of MPS concentrations (≤ca. 0.2 vol%), the nano silicone polymer grown on graphene functioned as a “linker” and “spacer”, leading to a substantial decrease of the aerogel density. Because of the formation of silicone polymer and the characteristic nano-micro substructures on the backbones of graphene aerogels, the graphene aerogels exhibited a high hydrophobicity with the water contact angle consistently exceeding 142 degrees. Functionalized graphene aerogels with a density of 3.5 mg cm −3 were conveniently fabricated that displayed an extraordinary oil absorption capacity, 182 times for lubricating oil and 143 times for n-hexane of its own weight. Furthermore, the aerogels maintained their ultra-high absorption capability even after 20 absorption-distillation cycles, due to structural integrity held by the strong interfacial adhesion between graphene sheets and polymer chains of aerogels. This study offers a promising graphene aerogels and also provides a strategy for fabricating extra low dense functional materials.
Baowei Qiu,Tong Sun,Muxuan Li,Yang Chen,Shengtai Zhou,Mei Liang,Huawei Zou
The interface performance of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) is one of the key factors that affect their properties. In order to improve the interface adhesion between CF and epoxy (EP), a green method is proposed. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide (GO) are introduced to the CF surface through the hydrogen bonds, and they can form high micromechanical interlocking composite architectures, which can enhance the micromechanical interaction in the interface of CF and EP. It is found that CMC and GO can significantly improve the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of EP/CF composite. This means that it has great potential to improve the interface of CFRPs and strengthen their performance by natural cellulose fibers. This modification method does no harm to CF and is environmental friendliness, which lays a research foundation for using natural cellulose to enhance the interface performance of CFRPs.