Foams of graphene, method of making and materials made thereof
Method for making a liquid foam from graphene. The method includes preparing an aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide and adding a water miscible compound to the aqueous dispersion to produce a mixture including a modified form of graphene oxide. A second immiscible fluid (a gas or a liquid) with or without a surfactant are added to the mixture and agitated to form a fluid/water composite wherein the modified form of graphene oxide aggregates at the interfaces between the fluid and water to form either a closed or open cell foam. The modified form of graphene oxide is the foaming agent.
1. A method for making an open cell foam comprising:
making a liquid foam from graphene;
adding an immiscible fluid that contains a surfactant to produce a 3D bi-continuous fluid/water structure; and
removing volatile components;
wherein making the liquid foam from graphene comprises:
preparing an aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide;
adding a water miscible base compound to the aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide to produce a mixture including a reduced form of graphene oxide;
adding water to the mixture; and
agitating the mixture to produce a foamed phase with the reduced form or graphene oxide as a foaming agent.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the base compound is isophorone diamine.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is an amphiphilic molecule.