To reduce production cost and inhibit the aggregation of graphene, graphene oxide and copper nitrate solution were used as raw materials in the paper. Cu particles were introduced to the graphene nanosheets by in-situ chemical reduction method in the hydrazine hydrate and sodium hydroxide solution, and the copper matrix composite reinforced with Cu-doped graphene nanosheets were fabricated by powder metallurgy. The synthesized Cu-doped graphene was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The relative density, hardness, electrical conductivity and tensile strength of the copper matrix composite reinforced with Cudoped graphene were measured as well. The results show that copper ions and graphene oxide can be effectively reduced by hydrazine hydrate simultaneously. Most of oxygen functional groups on the Cu-doped graphene sheets can be removed dramatically, and Cu-doped graphene inhibit the graphene aggregation effectively. Within the experimental range, the copper matrix composites have good comprehensive properties with 0.5 wt% Cu-doped graphene. The tensile strength and hardness are 221 MPa and 81.6 HV, respectively, corresponding to an increase of 23% and 59% compared to that of pure Cu, and the electrical conductivity reaches up to 93.96% IACS. However, excessive addition of Cu-doped graphene is not beneficial for the improvement on the hardness and electrical conductivity of copper matrix composite.

Despite enormous popularity of graphene oxide (GO) several open questions remain regarding the structure and properties of this material. One of those questions is the role of a graphite precursor on the properties of GO product. In this study, we investigate the oxidation process and the structure of GO products, made from the four different graphite precursors: synthetic graphite, two natural flaky graphites, and expanded graphite. The highest rate of the oxidation reaction was registered for the small particle size synthetic graphite. Thermal expansion of natural flaky graphite did not significantly affect the rate of the reaction. The nature of the graphite precursor does not notably affect the chemical composition of the synthesized GO products. However, it affects stability of respective aqueous dispersions. The solutions of the three GO samples, prepared from the natural graphite sources demonstrate excellent stability due to complete exfoliation of GO to single-atomic-layer sheets. GO from synthetic graphite forms unstable dispersions due to the presence of numerous multi-layered particles. This, in turn, is explained by the presence of not fully graphitized, amorphous inclusions in synthetic graphite. Our observations suggest that synthetic graphite should not be used as GO precursor when the ability to completely exfoliate and the stability of dispersions are critical for intended applications.

In this study, laser-induced graphene oxide (LIGO) was synthesized through a facile liquid-based process involving the introduction of deionized (DI) water onto polyimide (PI) film and subsequent direct laser irradiation using a CO2 laser (λ = 10.6 μm). The synthesized LIGO was then evaluated as a sensing material for monitoring changes in humidity levels. The synthesis conditions were optimized by precisely controlling the laser scribing speed, leading to the synthesis of LIGO with different structural characteristics and varying oxygen contents. The increased number of oxygen-containing functional groups contributed to the hydrophilic properties of LIGO, resulting in a superior humidity sensing capabilities compared with laser-induced graphene (LIG). The LIGO-based sensors outperformed LIG-based sensors, demonstrating approximately tenfold higher sensing responsivity when detecting changes at each humidity level, along with 1.25 to 1.75 times faster response/recovery times, making LIGO-based sensors more promising for humidity-monitoring applications. This study demonstrated laser ablation in a renewable and natural precursor as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient approach to directly synthesize LIGO with controllable oxidation levels.

This paper reports an enhanced strategy for improving the mechanical flexibility and ionic kinetic properties of a double network hydrogel based on Co2+- coordination assistance. The modified double-network hydrogel was obtained by using acrylic acid and N, N-dimethylacrylamide as monomers, adding cross-linking agents and 3D nitrogen-doped graphenes. The tensile fracture rate of the modified hydrogel was 1925% and its tensile strength was 1696 kPa. In addition, the hydrogel exhibited excellent ionic dynamics, and its application to an all-solid-state supercapacitor was able to achieve a specific capacitance of up to 182.8 F g− 1. The supercapacitor exhibited an energy density of 34.2 Wh kg− 1, even when operating at a power density of 5 kW kg− 1, highlighting its significant potential for practical applications.

Photoanode optimization is a fascinating technique for enlightening the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this present study, V2O5/ ZnO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-V2O5/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by the solid-state technique and used as photoanodes for DSSCs. A wet chemical technique was implemented to generate individual V2O5 and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The structural characteristics of the as-synthesized NCs were investigated and confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The average crystallite size (D) of the as-synthesized V2O5/ ZnO and rGO-V2O5/ZnO NCs was determined by Debye-Scherer’s formula. The bandgap (eV) energy was calculated from Tauc’s plots, and the bonding nature and detection of the excitation of electrons were investigated using the Ultra violet (UV) visible spectra, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectral analysis. Electrical studies like Hall effect analysis and the Nyquist plots are also described. The V2O5/ ZnO and rGO-V2O5/ZnO NCs based DSSCs exhibited 0.64% and 1.27% of PCE and the short circuit current densities and open circuit voltages improved from 7.10 to 11.28 mA/cm2 and from 0.57 to 0.68 V, respectively.

In this study, the elastic properties of aluminium nanocomposite representative volumetric element (RVE) reinforced with GNP have been analysed. Pure aluminium is lightweight and has low strength which is not suitable for various aerospace applications. Adding graphene to aluminium gives a highly strengthened nano-matrix. A 3D multiscale finite element (FE) representative volumetric element (RVE) has been developed to estimate the mechanical behaviour of GNP-reinforced aluminium graphene nanocomposite (AGNC). The factors influencing the behaviour of AGNC have been investigated with different weight fractions (wt%), sizes and orientations of GNP. The Young’s modulus of AGNC is enhanced by increasing the wt% of GNP and reducing the size of GNP in the aluminium matrix. The Young’s modulus of AGNC with 1% wt% has been enhanced two times and yield strength by five times than pure Al matrix. In the case of different sizes of GNP, the strength of 15-nm-diameter GNP AGNC enhanced two times and medium-sized GNP, i.e. 30 nm has shown a great combination of strength and ductility. After that different orientations have also influenced the mechanical properties and enhancement shown in layered orientation compared to different angles of GNP.

The thermoelectric effect, which converts waste heat into electricity, holds promise as a renewable energy technology. Recently, bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)-based alloys are being recognized as important materials for practical applications in the temperature range from room temperature to 500 K. However, conventional sintering processes impose limitations on shape-changeable and tailorable Bi2Te3 materials. To overcome these issues, three-dimensional (3D) printing (additive manufacturing) is being adopted. Although some research results have been reported, relatively few studies on 3D printed thermoelectric materials are being carried out. In this study, we utilize extrusion 3D printing to manufacture n-type Bi1.7Sb0.3Te3 (N-BST). The ink is produced without using organic binders, which could negatively influence its thermoelectric properties. Furthermore, we introduce graphene oxide (GO) at the crystal interface to enhance the electrical properties. The formed N-BST composites exhibit significantly improved electrical conductivity and a higher Seebeck coefficient as the GO content increases. Therefore, we propose that the combination of the extrusion 3D printing process (Direct Ink Writing, DIW) and the incorporation of GO into N-BST offers a convenient and effective approach for achieving higher thermoelectric efficiency.

Graphene oxide/Iron III oxide (GO: Fe2O3) nanocomposites (NCs) have been topical in recent times owing to the enhanced properties they exhibit. GO acting as a graphene derivative has demonstrated superior features as obtainable in a graphene sheet. Furthermore, the attachment of oxygen functional groups at its basal and edge planes of graphene has allowed for easy metal/oxide functionalization for improved properties harvesting. Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) on the other hand have polymorphic property enabling the degeneracy of Fe2O3 in different phases, thereby resulting in different physical and crystalline properties when used to functionalize GO. The properties of GO: Fe2O3 have been applied to supercapacitor energy harvesting, Li-ion batteries, and biomedicine. The enhanced properties are attributed to the adsorption and electronic structure properties of Fe atoms. In this review, the various synthesis used in the preparation of reduced/graphene oxide: Fe2O3 is discussed. As indicated in the considered literature, the XPS analysis suggests electronic bond interactions between C–C, C–O, C–Fe and Fe–C. The available report on UPS measurements further suggests the formation of mixed states emanating from  and  bonds. The discussed reports further suggest that the various applications based on the harvesting of electronic, electrical, and magnetic properties are due to the ionic and exchange interactions between the different orbital states of carbon, oxygen and iron. The challenges and future prospects of the synthesis and application of GO/Fe2O3 are examined. Graphical abstract showing the process of exfoliation, reduction and functionalization of graphite to produce reduced graphene oxide (rGO).

Poor mechanical properties and bacterial infection are the main problems faced by dental restorative resins in clinical use. In this study, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) grafted with imidazole groups and mesoporous silica (MSN) are co-filled in a dental resin to impart excellent antimicrobial activity and mechanical properties to the dental resin. The higher specific surface area of GQDs and MSN results in an increased contact area with the resin matrix, which enhances the strength of the dental composite resin. The introduction of GQDs significantly improves the antimicrobial activity of the resin. The inhibition efficiency of the composite resin against Streptococcus mutans reached 99.9% with the addition of GQDs at only 0.2 wt.%. When MSN and GQDs are co-filled, MSN interferes with the release of GQDs, thus reducing the antimicrobial activity of the dental resin but improving the cyto-compatibility. By reasonably adjusting the amount of GQDs and MSN, the dental composite resin can exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties, mechanical properties and cyto-compatibility at the same time.

The physical and antibacterial properties of ophthalmic lenses fabricated by copolymerization with hydrogel monomers using two types of graphene were measured, and their usability as contact lens materials was analyzed. For polymerization, silicone monomers, including SID-OH, 3-(methacryloxy)propyl tris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, were used, and N,N-dimethylacetamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinking agent, and azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator were added. Also, graphene oxide nanoparticle (GON) and graphene nanoplate (GNP) were used as an additive, and the physical properties of the lenses fabricated after copolymerization were evaluated. The fabricated lenses satisfied the basic physical properties of general hydrogel contact lenses and showed the characteristics of lenses with high water content, and the disadvantage of very weak durability, due to low tensile strength. However, it was confirmed that the tensile strength and antibacterial properties were greatly improved by adding GON and GNP. With GON, the oxygen permeability and refractive index of the fabricated lenses were slightly improved. Therefore, it was determined that the graphene materials used in this study can be used in various ways as a contact lens material.

The effect of the laser ablation duration of reduced graphene oxide sheets on their optical properties was studied. After 30 min of ablation, the average lateral size of reduced graphene oxide sheets decreases from 347.4 ± 86.5 nm to 98.8 ± 36.0. The sizes of almost all particles are in the range up to 100 nm, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering data. The FTIR spectroscopy data showed that after ablation the intensity of the bands associated with O–H, C–OH and C=O vibrations were noticeably decreased. The optical density and the fluorescence intensity of reduced graphene oxide also depend on the ablation time. After ablation, the reduced graphene oxide fluorescence intensity increased 2–3 times. The fluorescence lifetime decreases both for the first (from 1.36 ns to 0.71 ns) and second (from 6.03 to 3.66 ns) components. A broad band was recorded in the long-lived luminescence spectrum. The long-lived luminescence intensity is higher on 80% for the samples after 30 min of ablation compared to the unablated sample. It was assumed that during laser ablation of reduced graphene oxide a change in the ratio between oxidized and sp2- hybridized carbon occurs. This opens up possibilities for controlling the optical properties of reduced graphene oxide.

그래핀옥사이드는 우수한 물리적 특성 및 가공성으로 멤브레인 소재로 각광받고 있다. 특히, 이론적 예측과 실험 적인 접근을 통해 그래핀옥사이드의 원자 수준의 얇은 두께, 뛰어난 기계적 강도, 높은 수준의 내화학성, 기공 생성이 가능한 2차원 구조 또는 기체 확산 유로 생성이 가능한 적층구조 등 멤브레인 소재로서 매우 유리한 특성들을 보유하고 있음이 밝혀 졌다. 또한 그래핀옥사이드에서의 분자 투과 거동은 적층된 그래핀옥사이드 사이의 채널 크기에 따라 영향을 받는다는 것이 발견되었다. 그 후, 이러한 특성을 응용하여 그래핀옥사이드를 멤브레인 소재로 활용하기 위해 많은 연구가 집중적으로 진행 되고 있다. 본 총설에서는 그래핀옥사이드의 고유 특성을 기반으로 멤브레인 분야로의 응용 가능성에 대하여 논하고자 한다.

Graphene, a new material with various advantageous properties, has been actively used in various fields in recent years. Applications of graphene oxide are increasing in combination with other materials due to the different properties of graphene oxide, depending on the number of single and multiple layers of graphene. In this study, single-layer graphene oxide and multi-layer graphene oxide are spray coated on polystyrene, and the physicochemical properties of the coated surfaces are characterized using SEM, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and contact angle measurements. In singlelayer graphene oxide, particles of 20 μm are observed, whereas a 2D peak is less often observed, and the difference in surface height increases according to the amount of graphene oxide. Adhesion increases with an increase in graphene oxide up to 0.375 mg, but decreases at 0.75 mg. In multi-layer graphene oxide, particles of 5 μm are observed, as well as a 2D peak. According to the amount of graphene oxide, the height difference of the surface increases and the adhesive strength decreases. Both materials are hydrophilic, but single-layer graphene oxide has a hydrophilicity higher than that of multi-layer graphene oxide. We believe that multi-layer graphene oxide and single-layer graphene oxide can be implemented based on the characteristics that make them suitable for application.

The behaviour of semiconducting graphene quantum dots (GQDs), as good candidates for various biological carrier applications and optical sensing, are necessary to be studied under various conditions. In this study, GQD models were generated according to the geometrical and chemical specifications of synthesized GQDs to achieve the most realistic models. The GQDs’ bandgap and distribution of their electric surface charges were obtained using computational chemistry method. Finite element analysis was conducted on pristine and defective GQDs to study Young and shear modulus. Buckling load and resonant frequency modes of GQDs were calculated analytically and demonstrated under various boundary conditions. The dimension of GQDs has an average of 3.5 ± 0.4 nm, with an interlayer spacing of 0.36–0.40 nm. Computational chemistry studies revealed the characteristic zero-band-gap nature of graphene. Finite element studies showed that the by introducing the inevitable dislocation, mono atom vacancy and Stone–Wales defects to GQD models, their mechanical properties reduces to approach data from experimental investigations, whereas an increase in the number of layers does not influence the obtained results significantly.