Graphene Aerogels for Clean Energy

Aerogels are a class of synthetic, porous, ultralight materials derived from a gel, in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas.  The result is a solid with extremely low density and low thermal conductivity.  Graphene aerogels are a class of these gels in which the gel matrix component is completely made of carbon atoms.  The carbon atoms are structured into the one atom thick hexagonal sheets called graphene, and then stacked in a 3D matrix in order to create the graphene aerogels. We are currently exploring using graphene aerogels as a host for the inclusion of conductive polymers such as polyaniline for the development of supercapacitors, batteries with improved power density and lifetimes, and sensors. Graphene aerogels were synthesized at varying temperatures using sonication and freeze gelation in camphene. The morphology, changes in pore distribution, and composition were studied using scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. These nanocomposites may lead to the creation of more green and environmentally friendly batteries and capacitors, as harsh chemicals and environmentally toxic heavy metals would be replaced with carbon and organic polymers.