Graphene-Info: the graphene experts

Researchers from Tsinghua University in China have designed a low-cost energy storage device using a TiO2-assisted UV reduction of sandwiched graphene components. The sandwich structure consists of two active layers of reduced graphene oxide hybridized with TiO2, with a graphene oxide separator (rGO-TiO2/rGO/rGO-TiO2). In the device, the separator layer also acts as a reservoir for the electrolyte, which affects ion diffusion—a known problem for layered membrane devices—and affects both the capacity and rate performance.

The team explained that a step-by-step vacuum filtration process is used to form the membrane structure, and the amount of graphene oxide used in the filtration solutions can be adjusted to precisely tune the thickness of each layer. Irradiation of the dried membrane with UV light then reduces the graphene oxide to rGO with assistance from the TiO2.

Group NanoXplore has recently announced plans to become a public company, with a business strategy of acquiring companies in order to introduce graphene to the products. NanoXplore says it is on track to offer graphene at $10/kg. We recently discussed this goal with the company’s CEO, Dr. Soroush Nazarpour.

Dr. Soroush explains that at the simplest level, commercialization of graphene requires either developing new applications and products, or replacing existing products. There are many examples of graphene companies pursuing each of these approaches. NanoXplore is one company targeting existing products. They plan to dramatically reduce the price of graphene so that it can compete with carbon black.

A research team from the South Korean Sungkyunkwan University has developed a technology that can control graphene electronic device through static electricity. The team has developed a gate that utilizes the graphene electrostatic phenomenon; Static electricity that occurs from friction is trapped inside of a lower board and serves as a gate. Unlike current materials, formation, modification, and elimination are said to be possible with this technology.

The team aims to make the process that forms a gate which will control current from an electronic device unnecessary. As a result, integration with high density should be possible and it is expected that this technology will reduce cost and time to manufacture electronic devices.

Researchers at the India Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, have developed a new graphene, silver and pyyrole nanocomposite material suitable for making supercapacitors.

The nanomaterial was made of a graphene sheet onto which silver nanoparticles, each about 15-20 nanometers wide, had been embedded uniformly. The material was shown to have a high specific capacitance of 472 farad per gram at a current density of 0.5 amperes per gram. It could retain 95% of its capacitance after 1,000 consecutive charge-discharge cycles.

An international group of researchers from Saudi Arabia, China and the US have developed a graphene-bacterial cellulose nanofiber (GC/BCN) hybrid sensor to detect alcohol (ethanol) with great efficiency. The sensor was described as flexible, transparent, highly sensitive and with an excellent alcohol recognition performance. Electrical tests in different liquid environments were performed, with remarkable results.

The researchers created a composite thin film composed of graphene and bacterial cellulose nanofibers. In this material, the bacterial cellulose nanofibres act as the host and the graphene as the filler material. Due to its excellent conductive properties, it was reported that graphene does not require the addition of a conductive filler material, unlike many composites. The Researchers constructed the composite using a combination of wet chemical, blending, sonication (Cole-Parmer), centrifugal (Centrifuge 5810, Eppendorf), dialysis and sputtering (Equipment Support Co) methods.

Innovate UK's (London, UK) Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) has launched a Graphene Special Interest Group that is focused, in part, on commercialization of graphene in composite materials applications.

The purpose of the special interest group is to provide a forum through which graphene suppliers can connect with composites fabricators to work together to integrate graphene into products. There are 80 companies in the Graphene Special Interest Group, a number that will hopefully to grow to 200-250.

Talga Resources has announced the execution of a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with Heidelberg Cement – a Germany-based multinational building materials producer and producer of concrete products.

Talga and Heidelberg have entered into the MOU in order to jointly explore business opportunities associated with Talga’s graphite and graphene based materials in carbon enhanced concrete applications for the building and construction sector.