A new synthesis route of a solution-processed highly
conductive
self-standing graphite membrane from reassembled graphene oxide (GO)
has become one of the intensive research focus, because of its immense
application opportunities. Previously demonstrated techniques were
limited by the unstable reduced graphene oxide (RGO) dispersion and
agglomeration during chemical reduction without any surfactant. This
results in poor packing morphology and low electrical conductivity
of the RGO membrane. Here, we report a novel synthesis route of a
highly concentrated RGO solution from exfoliated GO, which results
highly conductive and self-standing RGO membrane without using any
binders or organic solvents. Our low-temperature reduction method
is significantly different from previous investigations in which controlling
the reduction rate by lowering the reduction temperature of the GO
solution and collision probability was the key factor in preventing
random agglomeration. Further high-temperature reduction of the RGO
membrane gave rise to a reassembled graphite structure containing
negligible oxygen content (O 1s/C 1s = 0.005), and high electrical
conductivity (up to 1.6 × 105 S/m) without disintegration
of its self-standing feature. This result is better than any previously
reported value. Developed RGO membrane could be mass-produced for
various flexible device applications. The in-plane alignment and through-thickness
consolidation of GO and RGO membranes using vacuum-filtration and
thermal treatment successfully ensured the synthesis of highly conductive,
mechanically robust RGO and graphite membranes.
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