Large Area Graphene Deposition on Hydrophobic Surfaces, Flexible Textiles, Glass Fibers and 3D Structures

Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives have many superior electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and structural properties, and promise for many applications. One of the issues for scalable applications is the lack of a simple, reliable method that allows the deposit of a well-ordered monolayer using low-cost graphene flakes onto target substrates with different surface properties. Another issue is the adhesion of the deposited graphene thin film, which has not been well investigated yet. Following our former finding of a double self-assembly (DSA) process for efficient deposition of a monolayer of graphene flakes (MGFs), in this work we demonstrate that the DSA process can be applied even on very challenging samples including highly hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), flexible textiles, complex 3D objects, and thin glass fibers. Additionally, we tested adhesion of the graphene flakes on the flat glass substrate by scotch tape peel test of the MGFs. The results show that the graphene flakes adhere quite well on the flat glass substrate and most of the graphene flakes stay on the glass. These findings may trigger many large-scale applications of low-cost graphene feedstocks and other 2D materials.

The Potential of Graphene Nanoplatelets in the Development of Smart and Multifunctional Ecocomposites

“…It’s possible to affirm that we started with a hydrophilic surface, the uncoated flax, and, with the addition of GNP percentages higher than 0.1 %, we obtained hydrophobic surfaces, reaching a contact angle of 115° for the sample with the higher concentration. These results are in concordance with previous studies that confirm the influence of GNPs to produce hydrophobic structures, making it capable to be used for several applications [ 39 , 41 ]. For example, Prolongo et al studied the influence of the addition of GNPs in the hydrophobicity of epoxy resin composites.…”

Self‐Assembled Graphene/MWCNT Bilayers as Platinum‐Free Counter Electrode in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Compared to conventionally used deposition techniques ( vide supra ), DSA enables rapid deposition of graphene flakes on large areas even on hydrophobic 3D substrates. Additionally, DSA allows to deposit different 2D nanomaterials in a layer‐by‐layer sequence . Here, DSA is used to prepare monolayer graphene and MWCNTs counter electrodes as well as bilayer graphene/MWCNTs electrodes on transparent conductive glass substrates.…”

“…[24][25][26][27] Previously we have developed a double self-assembly (DSA) process to deposit single layers of graphene on three-dimensional substrates. [28][29][30] This technique exploits surface interactions between graphene flakes and surfactant molecules at the water/air interface to deposit monolayer and multilayer structures of graphene on 3D substrate. [28,29] Compared to conventionally used deposition techniques (vide supra), DSA enables rapid deposition of graphene flakes on large areas even on hydrophobic 3D substrates.…”

“…[28][29][30] This technique exploits surface interactions between graphene flakes and surfactant molecules at the water/air interface to deposit monolayer and multilayer structures of graphene on 3D substrate. [28,29] Compared to conventionally used deposition techniques (vide supra), DSA enables rapid deposition of graphene flakes on large areas even on hydrophobic 3D substrates. Additionally, DSA allows to deposit different 2D nanomaterials in a layer-by-layer sequence.…”

“…Additionally, DSA allows to deposit different 2D nanomaterials in a layer-by-layer sequence. [28][29][30] Here, DSA is used to prepare monolayer graphene and MWCNTs counter electrodes as well as bilayer graphene/MWCNTs electrodes on transparent conductive glass substrates. The DSAprocessed carbon-electrodes are integrated into ZnO photoanode-based DSSCs and their performance, mechanical stability and recyclability are assessed.…”