(484a) Chemical Engineering Science for Graphene Technology Development

Early graphene research was led by condensed matter physicists focused on the electronic structure and properties of this newly isolated, single-atom-thick, two-dimensional (2D) material. Over the last decade graphene research has expanded greatly to include related sheet-like carbon forms and a wider range of properties and potential applications. The further development of large-scale graphene-based technologies will require contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including chemical engineering.

Many scalable graphene-based technologies use aqueous processing of graphene oxide nanosheets for assembling new carbon materials that include fibers, foams, and membranes. This approach of “building with graphene” involves colloidal interactions and conformational changes of GO nanosheets, which are governed by weak intermolecular forces and result in mechanically soft and flexible final products.

Chemical engineering can play a key enabling role in the development of these technologies through application of the principles of colloid science, complex fluids, reaction engineering, and porous material transport. This talk will describe recent work on graphene oxide as (i) a high-aspect-ratio sheet-like colloid, (ii) an energetic material, (iii) a lyotropic discotic liquid crystal, (iv) a printable ink, and (v) a giant molecular precursor for liquid-phase assembly into engineered 3D carbons. The talk will also discuss applications of these novel carbons as flexible fibers, stretchable, breathable molecular barriers, selective transport membranes, and 2D templates for ceramic growth.