Issue 45, 2014

Self-protected nickel–graphene hybrid low density 3D scaffolds

Abstract

The development of low density metallic foams is highly intriguing for various applications. Moreover, the synthesis of hierarchical 3-dimensional structures of graphene is also receiving tremendous attention in recent days because of their unique electrical, thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. Here, we demonstrate a novel method for the bulk production of graphene protected, freestanding, low density (0.03–0.15 g per cc) metallic nickel (Ni) foam (NiG) by a simple polyol assisted chemical route. This hybrid NiG foam is synthesized in air, and during its synthesis, Ni is protected by graphene from its oxidation. These magnetic scaffolds can be used for various energy and environmental applications, and also can be structurally reinforced with other polymers. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is infiltrated into the Ni/NiG foams and the subsequent annealing of Ni/PMMA composite foam in Ar–H2 atmosphere at 900 °C leads to the formation of large area graphene by the graphitisation of PMMA on Ni. This large area graphene is separated and studied for its properties.

Graphical abstract: Self-protected nickel–graphene hybrid low density 3D scaffolds

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Aug 2014
Accepted
25 Sep 2014
First published
25 Sep 2014

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014,2, 19488-19494

Author version available

Self-protected nickel–graphene hybrid low density 3D scaffolds

M. R. Philip, T. N. Narayanan, M. Praveen Kumar, S. B. Arya and D. K. Pattanayak, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 19488 DOI: 10.1039/C4TA04066J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements