Thanks to the new 3D printing technique, graphene airgel will be even more efficient

Graphene is famous for its multitude of applications and enormous potential that has been talked about for several years. It grows when 3D structures are created from a two-dimensional form. A great example is airgel, which is the lightest material in the world. Scientists from Virigina Tech improved the process of its production, thanks to which they are able to print structures at a higher resolution.

Stacking two-dimensional graphene sheets on top of each other weakens its strength and conductive properties. The three-dimensional form allows, however, to retain most of these properties and adds practical applications for the material. Until now, one of the techniques for producing airgel has been to extrude it in filaments with a thickness of about 100 micrometers. The problem was with the reproduction of details when printing the structure in this way. Thanks to the new achievements in the field of 3D printing, scientists will be able to create elements with a much higher resolution of about 10 micrometers.

The new method is based on the combination of a hydrogel (made of graphene oxide) with acrylic polymers. Then, using projection micro-stereolithography, scientists create long polymer chains containing graphene oxide inside. After placing such a mixture in an oven, the polymers are burned off, leaving only graphene airgel.

Researchers boast that thanks to their technique, most of the useful properties of graphene are preserved. The methods used so far have often allowed to produce a three-dimensional structure, but it was devoid of what distinguishes graphene from other materials.

[Źródło: newatlas.com; Virginia Tech]