(15k) Graphene and Other Nanosheets: Exfoliation and Processing for Nanocomposites and 3D Macrostructures

Research
Background:

The emergence
of graphene as a single layer nanosheet with unique properties has paved the
way to exploit the optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of
other nanosheets such as MoS₂, WS₂, and boron nitride. Many
of the existent layered materials have been exfoliated to produce unprecedented
nanosheets including Mxenes and black phosphorous. The
dependence of the nanosheets properties and potential applications on their
structure and morphology, particularly on the number of layers in an individual
nanosheet, necessitates a precise control over their production techniques.
Current nanosheets exfoliation techniques including the liquid-phase exfoliation
lack such a control at atomic level and are challenged by the instability and
reaggregation of nanosheets in liquid media. On the other hand, the yield of
these techniques is not sufficient for bulk usage of nanosheets in applications
such as composites or battery electrodes. 
Hence, strategies for scalable, high-yield production of nanosheets that
offer atomic-level control over their structure and properties are in high
demand.

To this
point, in Prof. Micah Green’s laboratory, I have tried to address the low yield
of liquid phase exfoliation by using dispersant molecules for stabilization of
colloidal graphene at higher concentrations. 
I have also tailored the polymer molecules to synthesize polymeric
dispersant compatible with pristine graphene, a product with highest quality in
graphene family. This allows for the usage of minimal graphene content for
mechanical and electrical properties enhancement in polymer nanocomposites. The
change of morphology of graphene from 2D nanosheets to 3D crumpled particles is
another strategy that I have explored to prevent aggregation during the
processing of graphene for other applications. Recently, I have focused on
understanding the colloidal interactions in the graphene oxide dispersions in
order to control their assembly into 3D macrostructures; ideally, these porous
conductive 3D networks could be the optimum electrodes for lithium ion
batteries.

Research Interests:

Being aware
of the similarities and differences of graphene and other nanosheets, as a
faculty member, I will expand my research to new materials and technologies.
The research carried in my future laboratory will focus on (i)
developing alternative synthesis and/or exfoliation methods for existing and
novel 2D nanomaterials, (ii) fundamental study of the
processing-structure-property relationships in each nanosheet family, (iii)
relate the nanoscale properties of nanosheets to their bulk performance in
macrostructures, and (iv) scalable manufacturing strategies to enable usage of
these materials in industrial end products in response to real-life needs.

Teaching Interests:

In my
laboratory and future classes, I would apply the methodology that I have
developed during my research career and my teaching experience as a teaching fellow
and teaching assistant (Numerical Analysis for Chemical Engineers &
Reaction Design courses)  to create a
vivid learning environment for my future students. While they will obtain a
fundamental understanding of the physics behind their research topic, they will
get the opportunity to use their engineering background to design and build
products with industrial applications. Obviously, collaboration with both
industrial organizations and academic scientists with different computational
and experimental skills is essential to accomplish these goals.