(185s) Melamine-Derived Graphene Foam As a Thermal Additive

This project proposes the use of a novel melamine-derived graphene foam formed by high temperature pyrolysis under inert conditions for use as a thermal additive to absorbent crystals. The high thermal conductivity of graphene foam makes it an ideal candidate for use as a cheap, flexible, and light-weight alternative to previously used copper foam and metal organic frameworks. Following surface functionalization, graphene foam may be saturated with hydrophilic absorbent crystals.

The primary objectives of this research are to optimize the synthesis process of such a graphene foam to obtain the highest purity product while maintaining foam flexibility and to study the foam’s material properties after saturation with a 50% zeolite solution. Manipulated parameters in the optimization process include annealing temperature, annealing time, and ramping rate. Product purity is tested using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elasticity is tested using compression testing. SEM is also be used to compare the pore size and deformation of the carbon foam before and after compression.