Bioinspired highly electrically conductive graphene–epoxy layered composites

Abstract

Inspired by the nano/micro-scale hierarchical structure of nacre, we developed a new method for fabricating highly electrically conductive graphene–epoxy layered composites. In this new method, the graphene loading can be easily controlled, and the intrinsic three-dimensional network of graphene in the composites results in high electrical conductivity. Through effective surface modification, the interface strength between graphene and epoxy matrix was dramatically improved, leading to the 23-fold improvement in tensile strength, 136-fold in Young's modulus, and 8-fold in electrical conductivity compared with the pure graphene foam. These high performance bioinspired graphene–epoxy layered composites have a great potential for applications in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, aerospace, and other electrical devices.