Three-Dimensional Rebar Graphene.
Free-standing robust three-dimensional (3D) rebar graphene foams (GFs) were developed by a powder metallurgy template method with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a reinforcing bar, sintered Ni skeletons as a template and catalyst, and sucrose as a solid carbon source. As a reinforcement and bridge between different graphene sheets and carbon shells, MWCNTs improved the thermostability, storage modulus (290.1 kPa) and conductivity (21.82 S cm-1) of 3D GF resulting in a high porosity and structurally stable 3D rebar GF. The 3D rebar GF can support >3150× the foam's weight with no irreversible height change, and shows only a ∼25% irreversible height change after loading >8500× the foam's weight. The 3D rebar GF also shows stable performance as a highly porous electrode in lithium ion capacitors (LICs) with an energy density of 32 Wh kg-1. After 500 cycles of testing at a high current density of 6.50 mA cm-2, the LIC shows 78% energy density retention. These properties indicate promising applications with 3D rebar GFs in devices requiring stable mechanical and electrochemical properties.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300350, China.
Junwei
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5211-8663
J
Sha
Rodrigo V
RV
Salvatierra
Pei
P
Dong
Yilun
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0750-2228
Y
Li
Seoung-Ki
SK
Lee
Tuo
T
Wang
Chenhao
C
Zhang
Jibo
J
Zhang
Yongsung
Y
Ji
Pulickel M
PM
Ajayan
Jun
J
Lou
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300350, China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering , Tianjin 300350, China.
Naiqin
N
Zhao
James M
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8479-9328
JM
Tour
dynamic mechanical analysis; lithium ion capacitor; powder metallurgy; rebar graphene; three-dimensional