NIRT: Graphene Sheets For Use In Nacre-Mimic Layered And Tabular Composites

仿珍珠岩层状和板状复合材料摘要本提案是对NSF 05-610类纳米科学与工程倡议的响应。本研究的目标是开发和使用功能化石墨烯薄片(FGS)来设计和加工仿珍珠岩的层状和板状复合材料。制备FGS的途径将是通过石墨的插层和剥离。预计这种材料在设计和加工高强度、高韧性和低密度的纳米复合材料(NCS)方面将具有与碳纳米管(CNTs)相同或更好的性能。这项拟议的工作旨在了解导致这种膨胀的机制，并生产出比表面积接近理论极限的剥离石墨。FGS将被用来制造聚合物基纳米复合材料，其结构类似于生物产生的纳米复合材料中观察到的层状和板状结构，例如贝壳的珍珠层。功能化的石墨烯薄片结合了低成本可获得性的巨大优势和碳纳米管无法比拟的卓越性能。石墨(高度层状的石墨烯薄片)是一种价格仅为0.004美元/克的日用品。通过将石墨分解成单独的(石墨烯)薄片，这些分子层的显著特性将被用于纳米复合材料应用，这将导致复合材料领域的巨大进步，影响到广泛的行业。该提案的教育和外展方面包括与外展方案的整合和支持。拟议预算中已列入每年5000美元(四年共计20000美元)，用于直接支助现有的外联活动。外展计划将与新泽西州首屈一指的科学中心自由科学中心(LSC)的现有计划(NSF MRSEC和NASA URETI)进行协调。与LSC的联系将拟议的项目与30个新泽西州雅培学区联系起来，这些学区历来资金不足，成绩不佳，大多数群体在科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)中的代表性不足。

NACRE-MIMIC LAYERED AND TABULAR COMPOSITES ABSTRACT This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative, NSF 05-610, category NIRT. The objective of this research is to develop and use functionalized graphene sheets (FGS) for the design and processing of nacre-mimic layered and tabular composites. The approach to produce FGS will be through the intercalation and exfoliation of graphite. It is anticipated that such a material will perform equal to or better than carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the design and processing of high-strength, high-toughness, and low-density nanocomposites (NCs). The proposed work aims to understand the mechanisms leading to this expansion and to produce exfoliated graphite with surface areas close to the theoretical limit. FGS will be used to fabricate polymer matrix NCs with structures similar to the layered and tabular structures observed in biologically produced nanocomposites such as the nacre of seashells. Functionalized graphene sheets combine the substantial advantages of availability at low cost with exceptional properties only matched by carbon nanotubes. Graphite (highly layered sheets of graphene) is a commodity chemical costing only ~$0.004/gm. By splitting graphite into its individual (graphene) sheets, the remarkable properties of these molecular layers will be exploited in nanocomposite applications which should result in tremendous advances in composites affecting a wide range of industries. Educational and outreach aspects of this proposal include integration with and support of outreach programs. The sum of $5,000 per year ($20,000 total over four years) has been included in the proposed budget for direct support of existing outreach activities. Outreach programs will be coordinated with existing programs (NSF MRSEC and NASA URETI) at the Liberty Science Center (LSC), New Jersey's premiere science center. The connection with LSC links the proposed program with the 30 New Jersey Abbott school districts, historically underfinanced and low-achieving districts, with majority populations of groups underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).