Architected three dimensional graphene via additive manufacturing
Disclosed here is a method for making an architected three-dimensional aerogel, comprising providing a photoresin comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and a precursor for graphene, metal oxide or metal chalcogenide; curing the photoresin using projection microstereolithography layer-by-layer to produce a wet gel having a pre-designed three dimensional structure; drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce an architected three-dimensional aerogel. Also disclosure is a photoresin for projection microstereolithography, comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and graphene oxide.
1. A method for making an architected three-dimensional aerogel, comprising:
providing a photoresin comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and a precursor for graphene, metal oxide or metal chalcogenide; wherein the crosslinkable polymer precursor comprises (a) polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and Bisphenol F ethoxylate (2 EO/phenol) diacrylate (BisF), or (b) PEGDA, resorcinol and formaldehyde;
curing the photoresin using projection microstereolithography layer-by-layer to produce a wet gel having a pre-designed three dimensional structure;
drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and
pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce an architected three-dimensional aerogel.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises water.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the photoinitiator is soluble in an organic solvent.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the photoinitiator is soluble in water.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the photoinitiator comprises lithium phenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphinate.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinkable polymer precursor comprise a non-aromatic prepolymer that is substantially removable by pyrolysis, and/or an aromatic prepolymer.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinkable polymer precursor comprises polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and Bisphenol F ethoxylate (2 EO/phenol) diacrylate (BisF).
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinkable polymer precursor comprises PEGDA, resorcinol and formaldehyde.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor for graphene, metal oxide or metal chalcogenide comprises graphene oxide.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor for graphene, metal oxide or metal chalcogenide comprises a metal salt or metal alkoxide.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the curing step comprises curing the photoresin at a wavelength of 500 nm or less.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drying step comprises drying by solvent exchange and/or supercritical drying.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pyrolyzing step comprises pyrolyzing in an inert environment at a temperature of 800° C. or more.