The synthesis and characterization of epoxy‐based composites with few‐layer graphene fillers, which are capable of dual‐functional applications, are reported. It is found that composites with certain types of few‐layer graphene fillers reveal an efficient total electromagnetic interference shielding, SEtot≈ 45 dB, in the important X‐band frequency range,
Smart materials are versatile material systems which exhibit a measurable response to external stimuli. Recently, smart material systems have been developed which incorporate graphene in order to share on its various advantageous properties, such as mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity as well as to achieve unique stimuli‐dependent responses. Here, a graphene fiber‐based smart material that exhibits reversible electrical conductivity switching at a relatively low temperature (60 °C), is reported. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and density functional theory‐based non‐equilibrium Green's function (DFT‐NEGF) approach, it is revealed that this thermo‐response behavior is due to the change in configuration of amphiphilic triblock dispersant molecules occurring in the graphene fiber during heating or cooling. These conformational changes alter the total number of graphene‐graphene contacts within the composite material system, and thus the electrical conductivity as well. Additionally, this graphene fiber fabrication approach uses a scalable, facile, water‐based method, that makes it easy to modify material composition ratios. In all, this work represents an important step forward to enable complete functional tuning of graphene‐based smart materials at the nanoscale while increasing commercialization viability.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 1719875
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10398806
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Small
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 20
- ISSN:
- 1613-6810
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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