Nano-Micro Letters ›› 2024, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (1): 118-. doi: 10.1007/s40820-024-01357-w

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Highly Aligned Graphene Aerogels for Multifunctional Composites

Ying Wu1,2(), Chao An1,2, Yaru Guo1,2, Yangyang Zong1,2, Naisheng Jiang1,2, Qingbin Zheng3(), Zhong-Zhen Yu4()   

  1. 1 Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China
    2 Institute of Materials Intelligent Technology, Liaoning Academy of Materials, Shenyang, 110004, People’s Republic of China
    3 School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, People’s Republic of China
    4 State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People’s Republic of China
  • Received:2023-11-07 Accepted:2024-01-03 Online:2024-01-01 Published:2024-02-15
  • Contact: Ying Wu, Qingbin Zheng, Zhong-Zhen Yu

Abstract:

Stemming from the unique in-plane honeycomb lattice structure and the sp2 hybridized carbon atoms bonded by exceptionally strong carbon-carbon bonds, graphene exhibits remarkable anisotropic electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. To maximize the utilization of graphene's in-plane properties, pre-constructed and aligned structures, such as oriented aerogels, films, and fibers, have been designed. The unique combination of aligned structure, high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical stability, thermal conductivity, and porous nature of highly aligned graphene aerogels allows for tailored and enhanced performance in specific directions, enabling advancements in diverse fields. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in highly aligned graphene aerogels and their composites. It highlights the fabrication methods of aligned graphene aerogels and the optimization of alignment which can be estimated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The oriented scaffolds endow graphene aerogels and their composites with anisotropic properties, showing enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties along the alignment at the sacrifice of the perpendicular direction. This review showcases remarkable properties and applications of aligned graphene aerogels and their composites, such as their suitability for electronics, environmental applications, thermal management, and energy storage. Challenges and potential opportunities are proposed to offer new insights into prospects of this material.

Key words: Highly aligned graphene aerogels, Quantitative characterization of alignment, Multifunctional composites, Anisotropic properties, Multifunctional applications