It’s time to get back to talking about graphene and present one of the most well-known applications of almost each nanomaterial, which is a reinforcing phase in composites.
It is evident that the resulting properties of the composite can be shaped through the manufacturing process parameters, internal structure and the appropriately chosen composition of components. Key parameters to consider in the design of such a composite include the concentration of the nanomaterial additive, its shape, chemical composition. At the same time, it is worth noting that in the case of graphene materials, one can control all the mentioned parameters.
For this reason, at Flake Graphene Research Group operating in Łukasiewicz – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics, we produce composites including graphene materials using various techniques. Some of them, such as 3D printing or solution blow spinning, have been presented in previous posts.
Today’s post focuses on another type of composites – thin, lightweight, flexible panels that can be used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, hydrogen storage tanks, modular construction, and many others. All of this is related to additional functionalities (apart from improved mechanical properties) that can be imparted to these products, including barrier properties, limited flammability and smoke generation, ice-repellent or absorptive properties. These properties are, of course, closely correlated with the morphology, size, number of layers, degree of reduction, purity, and possible surface modification of graphene materials.