(475b) Graphene Based Composites for Electrochemical Applications

Because of its high strength and high modulus of elasticity, graphene oxide is a promising candidate for use in reinforcement of lightweight foam composite materials.  These foams with enhanced mechanical resilience have potential applications as high temperature thermal insulation, in water purification, in supercapacitors, and as structural components.  Additionally, the uniform cell structure of these of these foams, allows for the incorporation of electrochemically active materials for use in pseudocapacitors and battery electrodes.  Trapping the electrochemically active component within the foam can provide a method of uniformly dispersing the composite materials.   The high surface area of graphene oxide allows for intimate contact between components of the composite structure.   Reduction of the graphene oxide within the resulting structure can restore the electrical conductivity by converting the graphene oxide into electrically conductive graphitic structures.  By trapping the electrochemically active material within the graphene oxide based foam , agglomeration and loss of electrical contact of the active component should be circumvented. Utilizing graphene oxide as the basis for these processes allows for well bonded high strength structures to be made from these compatible materials.  The results of the charge/discharge behavior of electrodes made from these graphene oxide foams and the physical characteristics of the foam composites will be presented.