Flow‐induced microchannel structure of the graphene‐based aerogel microspheres and their use as superabsorbents. (9th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Chunmei; Zhu, Jiazhan; Cao, Ziting; Song, Ping; Zhai, Tianliang
• Is Part Of: Polymers for advanced technologies. Volume 31:Number 11(2020)
• Page Start: 2789
• Page End: 2796
• Publication Date: 2020-07-09
• Subjects: aerogel microspheres -- flow‐induced microchannel structure -- graphene -- thermal reduction; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pat.5005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-7147

Abstract

Abstract : The graphene‐based aerogel microspheres (GAMs) with a flow‐induced microchannel structure were prepared by a combination of emulsification method with the in situ freeze‐drying process, followed by thermal reduction. A uniform orientation microchannel structure can be found on the surface of the large GAMs. While, multi‐orientation microchannels were observed on the small GAMs. The effective reduction of the GAMs was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy. The hydrophobic GAMs were highly porous with a bulk density ranging from 4.30 to 7.74 mg/cm 3 and exhibited excellent absorption performance for various types of organic solvent and oils. The absorption capacities of the GAMs for oil/solvent ranged from 67 to 133 times to their initial weight, showing great potential applications in oil and chemical spill/leak cleanup.