Scalable production of graphene with tunable and stable doping by electrochemical intercalation and exfoliation.

Graphene's unique semimetallic band structure yields carriers with widely tunable energy levels that enable novel electronic devices and energy generators. To enhance the potential of this feature, a scalable synthesis method for graphene with adjustable Fermi levels is required. We here show that the electrochemical intercalation of FeCl3 and subsequent electrochemical exfoliation produces graphene whose energy levels can be finely tuned by the intercalation parameters. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that a gradual transition in the bonding character of the intercalant is the source of this behavior. The intercalated graphene exhibits a significantly increased work function that can be varied between 4.8 eV and 5.2 eV by the intercalation potential. Transparent conducting electrodes produced by these graphene flakes exhibit a threefold improvement in performance and the doping effect was found to be stable for more than a year. These findings open up a new route for the scalable production of graphene with adjustable properties for future applications.

Controlling the properties of graphene produced by electrochemical exfoliation.

The synthesis of graphene with controllable electronic and mechanical characteristics is of significant importance for its application in various fields ranging from drug delivery to energy storage. Electrochemical exfoliation of graphite has yielded graphene with widely varying behavior and could be a suitable approach. Currently, however the limited understanding of the exfoliation process obstructs targeted modification of graphene properties. We here investigate the process of electrochemical exfoliation and the impact of its parameters on the produced graphene. Using in situ optical and electrical measurements we determine that solvent intercalation is the required first step and the degree of intercalation controls the thickness of the exfoliated graphene. Electrochemical decomposition of water into gas bubbles causes the expansion of graphite and controls the functionalization and lateral size of the exfoliated graphene. Both process steps proceed at different time scales and can be individually addressed through application of pulsed voltages. The potential of the presented approach was demonstrated by improving the performance of graphene-based transparent conductors by 30times.

Matrix mechanics regulates muscle regeneration by modulating kinesin-1 activity.

Sarcopenia, a prevalent muscle disease characterized by muscle mass and strength reduction, is associated with impaired skeletal muscle regeneration. However, the influence of the biomechanical properties of sarcopenic skeletal muscle on the efficiency of the myogenic program remains unclear. Herein, we established a mouse model of sarcopenia and observed a reduction in stiffness within the sarcopenic skeletal muscle in vivo. To investigate whether the biomechanical properties of skeletal muscle directly impact the myogenic program, we established an in vitro system to explore the intrinsic mechanism involving matrix stiffness control of myogenic differentiation. Our findings identify the microtubule motor protein, kinesin-1, as a mechano-transduction hub that senses and responds to matrix stiffness, crucial for myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration. Specifically, kinesin-1 activity is positively regulated by stiff matrices, facilitating its role in transporting mitochondria and enhancing translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the cell surface for glucose uptake. Conversely, the softer matrices significantly suppress kinesin-1 activity, leading to the accumulation of mitochondria around nuclei and hindering glucose uptake by inhibiting GLUT4 membrane translocation, consequently impairing myogenic differentiation. The insights gained from the in-vitro system highlight the mechano-transduction significance of kinesin-1 motor proteins in myogenic differentiation. Furthermore, our study confirms that enhancing kinesin-1 activity in the sarcopenic mouse model restores satellite cell expansion, myogenic differentiation, and muscle regeneration. Taken together, our findings provide a potential target for improving muscle regeneration in sarcopenia.

Solid-diffusion-facilitated cleaning of copper foil improves the quality of CVD graphene.

The quality of CVD-grown graphene is limited by the parallel nucleation of grains from surface impurities which leads to increased grain boundary densities. Currently employed cleaning methods cannot completely remove surface impurities since impurity diffusion from the bulk to the surface occurs during growth. We here introduce a new method to remove impurities not only on the surface but also from the bulk. By employing a solid cap during annealing that acts as a sink for impurities and leads to an enhancement of copper purity throughout the catalyst thickness. The high efficiency of the solid-diffusion-based transport pathway results in a drastic decrease in the surface particle concentration in a relatively short time, as evident in AFM and SIMS characterization of copper foils. Graphene grown on those substrates displays enhanced grain sizes and room-temperature, large-area carrier mobilities in excess of 5000 cm2/Vs which emphasizes the suitability of our approach for future graphene applications.