Graphene three-dimensional networks

Graphene and its derivatives exhibit unprecedented combinations of properties: tuneable electrical and optical response, high intrinsic mechanical response, chemical versatility, tuneable permeability, extremely high surface area >3000m2/g... The incorporation of graphene in practical devices will open new technological opportunities in a wide number of technologies such as catalysis, supercapacitors, membranes and multifunctional polymer and ceramic composites. In order to combine optimum functional and mechanical properties, these devices will often have complex structures with characteristic features at multiple lengths scales from the nano to the macro level. For example, foams with open micro-scale porosity to allow gas access and nano-scale pores to enhance surface area, membranes that will combine ceramic supports with graphene layers of controlled permeability or multilayer structures with layer thickness ranging from micro to nanolevels. The scientific and engineering challenge is the development of manufacturing approaches to build these devices in a reliable and cost-effective manner.
Wet-processing techniques based on the use of liquid particulate suspensions, or solutions have made very significant advances in the last years. They are reliable, robust, and efficient. Now they are using to build materials with increasing degrees of precision, down to nano-levels and are having an increasing impact in a wide range of technologies. With the advent of solution processable graphene, we strongly believe that there is an often overlooked opportunity to develop wet processing technologies to build graphene-based devices. However, the development of these techniques will depend on two key issues: establishing a reliable path for the large scale synthesis of powders with controlled size and chemistry and understanding the basic physicochemical parameters that determine the response of graphene suspensions.
This project puts together a multidiscilplinary team with the objective to develop new wet-processing manufacturing approaches to build graphene-based 3D structures for selected technological applications. The project will cover basic scientific and engineering aspects such as powder synthesis and the basic analysis of the physicochemical parameters that control the response of colloidal suspensions of two dimensional materials. We plan to use a coordinated approach that by simultaneously developing a suite of processing approaches (from emulsification, 3D printing, layer-by-layer deposition, aerogels...) will be able to define and address the many common scientific and engineering issues and generate a synergistic effect that will push technological development. An essential part of our approach is the emphasis on specific technological applications (supercapacitors, membranes, electrochemical devices...). This emphasis will serve to focus the development of our manufacturing approaches towards specific goals, providing clear directions for structural manipulation and enhancing tremendously the technological impact of this project. By systematically analyzing the performance of our structures in these applications we will also define the key principles that should guide the design of graphene-based devices in order to optimize their functional and mechanical response.
This project will break new ground and uncover new scientific principles and technologies that will have a lasting impact not only on the implementation of graphene but also for a whole new family of emergent two dimensional materials whose unique properties are poised to change the way we design and build devices for a wide range of fields in the upcoming years.

The need for new, clean and economic sources of energy is paramount. World energy consumption is projected to increase by 44% from 2006 to 2030. In Europe, electricity generation is expected to increase by an average of 1.3 % per year up to about 4.6 trillion kilowatt-hours by 2030. The latest World Energy Outlook summary by the International Energy Agency predicts OECD countries will spend on average around 2% of their GDP in gas and oil imports by 2030 with Europe seeing a net import increase. An outstanding challenge is the development of structures able to support novel, more efficient systems for the production and storage of energy. The unique properties of graphene can open new opportunities in the design of new devices that will have a significant impact in the strategic field of energy such as more efficient membranes for liquid and gas separation, supercapacitors, catalysis, light-weight composites...
This project also addresses the need to developing new manufacturing capabilities in the UK. The recent economic crisis has highlighted the important role of the manufacturing industry in creating a sustainable economy and promoting job creation. This project will contribute to the formation of a manufacturing base on graphene technologies and area where there is an opportunity for UK to take a world-leading role. It is designed to generate new fabrication technologies with emphasis on industrial translation and whose impact goes beyond the field of graphene. These technologies will provide new commercial opportunities. The work ill also contribute to the formation of new highly skilled professionals will take a leading role in academy and industry.
Finally the dissemination of our work and the participation of the members of the team in outreach activities will encourage more high quality students to join the fields of materials science and engineering. We will also make an effort to hire female PDRAS and increase the number of female scientists.