Effect of Graphene on Graphitization, Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin Carbon Foam

doi:10.15541/jim20230385

Abstract

Abstract:

Epoxy resin (EP CF) carbon foam is a new carbon material with a three-dimensional sponge-like structure. The EP CF has high porosity, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and adjustable electrical/thermal conductivity, which possesses broad application prospects. However, epoxy resin is difficult to graphitize. Therefore, graphene was used as a heterogeneous nucleation modifier to improve the graphitization degree, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of EP CF. Graphene modified EP CF was prepared by a simple process of foaming, carbonizing, and graphitizing. Graphene as heterogeneous nucleation agent induce the carbon crystallite growth in EP CF, which increases the lattice fringe length and reduces carbon crystal tangled. The results show that the interplanar spacing (d₀₀₂), grain stacking height (L_c) and graphitization degree (g) of 0 and 0.05% (in mass) graphene modified EP CF are 0.343 nm, 3.35 nm and 8.42%, 0.342 nm, 10.22 nm and 23.2%, respectively. In addition, graphene as a nucleation site affects the average cell size of EP CF. With the increase of graphene content, the average cell size of EP CF decreases firstly and then increases. Meanwhile, graphene increases the ordered structure of EP CF and improves its conductivity. When graphene is 0.05% (in mass), the conductivity of EP CF is 53.8 S·m^-1. Compared with pure EP CF (compressive strain of 0.0096%), the compressive strains of 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, and 0.1% (in mass) graphene modified EP CF increases to 0.208%, 0.228%, 0.187%, and 0.1146%, respectively. This study provides new research method for the preparation, carbon structure control, and properties of carbon nanomaterial/carbon foam.

Key words: carbon foam, graphene, heterogeneous nucleation, graphitization, mechanical property

CLC Number:

TB321

YANG Pingjun, LI Tiehu, LI Hao, DANG Alei. Effect of Graphene on Graphitization, Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin Carbon Foam[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2024, 39(1): 107-112.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig. 1 Structure parameters of EP CF modified by different contents of graphene after graphitization treatment at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h (a) XRD patterns; (b) Raman spectra. Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 2 SEM images of modified EP CF by different graphene contents after graphitization treatment at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h (a, a1) EP CF0; (b, b1) EP CF0.01; (c, c1) EP CF0.02; (d, d1) EP CF0.05; (e, e1) EP CF0.1

Fig. 3 HRTEM images of EP CF and its graphitization mechanism (a) EP CF0; (b) EP CF0.05; (c) Schematic diagram of graphitization mechanism of EP CF treated at 3000 ℃for 0.5 h

Fig. 4 Electrical conductivity of EP CF modified by different contents of graphene after treatment at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h

Fig. 5 Mechanical properties of EP CF modified by different graphene contents after graphitization at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h (a) Compressive strength; (b) Variation of stress with strain; Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. S1 Graphene thickness analyzed by atomic force microscope

Fig. S2 (a) Preparation of graphene modified EP CF; (b) Thermogravimetric curve of epoxy resin; (c) Foaming temperature curve of green EP CF

Table S1 Crystalline parameters of EP CF modified by different graphene contents after treatment at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h

Sample	2θ₀₀₂/(°)	d₀₀₂/nm	L_c/nm	g/%
EP CF0	25.9	0.3431	3.35	8.42
EP CF0.01	25.6	0.343	3.62	11.22
EP CF0.02	25.77	0.343	4.22	11.22
EP CF0.05	26.27	0.342	10.22	23.2
EP CF0.1	26.1	0.3425	4.46	16.5

Fig. S3 Cell sizes of different graphene contents modified EP CF prepared by graphitization treatment at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h

Table S2 Physical, electrical and mechanical properties of EP CF modified by different graphene content after graphitization treatment at 3000 ℃ for 0.5 h

Sample	Density/(g·cm^-3)	Electrical conductivity/(S·m^-1)	Compressive strength/MPa
EP CF0	0.470	25.79	3.13
EP CF0.01	0.460	27.70	4.90
EP CF0.02	0.469	27.79	4.82
EP CF0.05	0.460	53.80	2.00
EP CF0.1	0.463	45.90	3.66

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