TY - JOUR
T1 - Template-free assembly of three-dimensional networks of graphene hollow spheres at the water/toluene interface
AU - Chen, Xianjue
AU - Eggers, Paul
AU - Slattery, Ashley
AU - Ogden, Samuel
AU - Raston, Colin
PY - 2014/9/15
Y1 - 2014/9/15
N2 - Hypothesis: The Pickering emulsion system, generated by amphiphilic graphene oxide (GO) sheets trapped between water/toluene liquid interfaces, can be directly used for template-free formation of three-dimensional (3D) structure of GO hollow spheres. Experiments: The method involves the formation of highly stable micron-sized Pickering emulsions via mild sonication of GO aqueous solution and toluene in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by direct freeze-drying of the mixture for preserving the unique 3D hollow spherical structures. Findings: The 3D structure of interconnected GO hollow spheres, with a diameter in the range ~2 to 10. μm, has been prepared. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of the 3D structure directly from the Pickering emulsion system. The presence of PVA is critical in supporting the GO hollow spherical structures. Raman analysis confirmed the structural integrity of the GO in the 3D products.
AB - Hypothesis: The Pickering emulsion system, generated by amphiphilic graphene oxide (GO) sheets trapped between water/toluene liquid interfaces, can be directly used for template-free formation of three-dimensional (3D) structure of GO hollow spheres. Experiments: The method involves the formation of highly stable micron-sized Pickering emulsions via mild sonication of GO aqueous solution and toluene in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by direct freeze-drying of the mixture for preserving the unique 3D hollow spherical structures. Findings: The 3D structure of interconnected GO hollow spheres, with a diameter in the range ~2 to 10. μm, has been prepared. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of the 3D structure directly from the Pickering emulsion system. The presence of PVA is critical in supporting the GO hollow spherical structures. Raman analysis confirmed the structural integrity of the GO in the 3D products.
KW - Freeze-drying
KW - Graphene
KW - Hollow spheres
KW - Liquid interface assembly
KW - Probe sonication
KW - Three-dimensional materials
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84902473155&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.05.048
DO - 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.05.048
M3 - Article
SN - 0021-9797
VL - 430
SP - 174
EP - 177
JO - Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
JF - Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
ER -