Large-sized graphene oxide as bonding agent for the liquid extrusion of nanoparticle aerogels. (September 2018) - Zhang, Songdi
Abstract: Self-assembly strategies have been widely used to prepare aerogels from nanoparticles. It is challenging to assemble those nanoparticles whose surface is lack of abundant polar functional groups into aerogels, as the weak interface interactions among nanoparticles are not enough to maintain aerogel structures. Here we demonstrate a liquid extrusion strategy as a possible solution to this challenge, by using a small amount of large-sized graphene oxide and liquid extrusion devices. Large-sized graphene oxide sheets cover, wrap and assemble nanoparticles, and thus promote the assembly of nanoparticles. Extrusion devices are employed to control the shape and size of aerogels. Based on this strategy, a variety of nanoparticle, such as clay nanosheets, boron nitride nanosheets and carbon nanotubes, have been assembled into aerogels with designed shape and size even when there are few polar functional groups on nanoparticle surface. Detailed studies on clay aerogels show that the aerogels have porous structure and high performance, which can be proposed for applications in thermal insulation, fire retardation and absorption, etc. This liquid extrusion strategy can be thought of as effective, general and scalable approach to produce nanoparticle aerogels, particularly for those nanoparticles whose surface is lack of polar functional groups. Graphical abstract: With the large-sized graphene oxide assisted liquid extrusion strategy, nanoparticles can be assembled into aerogels with controlled shape and size. Image 1