Graphene Materials from Coke-like Wastes as Proactive Support of Nickel-Iron Electro-Catalysts for Water Splitting.

Graphene materials, used as electrocatalyst support in green hydrogen production, contribute to increasing the efficiency and robustness of various systems. However, the preparation of a hybrid catalyst containing graphene materials from industrial wastes is still a challenge due to the heterogeneity of the waste. We report the synthesis of 3D electrodes using graphene oxides (GOs) from industrial waste (IW) prepared by immersion onto Toray carbon paper as a 3D support onto GO suspensions and electrodepositing NiFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Standard graphite was also used as the reference. The morphology of the two hybrid electrodes was determined by SEM, HRTEM, XPS. Although very similar in both, the sample containing graphene from IW (higher Csp3 hybridization in the graphene layer) has a NiFe phase with less crystallinity and larger presence of Fe2+ ions. These electrodes exhibited similar activity and stability as electrocatalysts of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), demonstrating the proactive effect of the graphene into the 3D electrode even when this is prepared from heterogeneous industrial waste. Moreover, the defective graphenic structure of the waste GO enhances the reaction kinetics and improves the electron transfer rate, possibly due to the small differences in the electrodeposited NiFe LDH structure.

Proactive Effect of Algae-Based Graphene Support on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalytic Activity of NiFe.

The preparation of graphene materials from biomass resources is still a challenge, even more so if they are going to be employed as supports for electrocatalysts for water splitting. Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of graphene oxides (GOs) from solid macroalgae waste obtained after processing an agar-agar residue. The structural and morphological characterization of the obtained GO confirm the presence of a lamellar material that is composed of few layers with an increased number of heteroatoms (including nitrogen) if compared with those observed in a GO obtained from graphite (reference). Three-dimensional electrodes were prepared from these GOs by depositing them onto a fibrous carbon paper, followed by electrodeposition of the catalyst, NiFe. The electrocatalytic performance of these hybrid systems for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) showed a proactive effect of both graphene materials toward catalysis. Moreover, the electrode prepared from the algae-based graphene showed the highest electrocatalytic activity. This fact could be explained by the different structure of the algae-based graphene which, due to differences in the nucleation growth patterns and electroactive sites developed during the electrodeposition process, produced more reactive NiFe species (higher oxidation state).

Salmonella Newport outbreak in Brazilian parrots: confiscated birds from the illegal pet trade as possible zoonotic sources.

Salmonella has long been linked to zoonotic risks, including exotic pets. Parrots are popular pets, and we here describe a salmonellosis outbreak involving Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) confiscated from the illegal pet trade in Brazil. High mortality was observed during the rehabilitation for which the causative agent was identified by cultures, and VITEK®2 GN identification card as Salmonella enterica. Genome sequencing of two isolates revealed serovar Newport ST45. The isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones, and genomic analyses detected characteristic Salmonella Pathogenicity Islands (SPIs) and virulence factors. A phylogenetic analysis with other 275 S. Newport ST45 from different international sources showed clustering with poultry and vegetables isolates and closely related clades of intermingled animal, human, food/environmental isolates from different countries (Tables S1 and S2). The virulent profiles and phylogenetic connection to multiple sources bring the attention to the non-host specificity of these strains highlighting the zoonotic potential in the illegal wildlife trade for companion animals.

Multimaterial 3D Printing of Graphene-Based Electrodes for Electrochemical Energy Storage Using Thermoresponsive Inks.

The current lifestyles, increasing population, and limited resources result in energy research being at the forefront of worldwide grand challenges, increasing the demand for sustainable and more efficient energy devices. In this context, additive manufacturing brings the possibility of making electrodes and electrical energy storage devices in any desired three-dimensional (3D) shape and dimensions, while preserving the multifunctional properties of the active materials in terms of surface area and conductivity. This paves the way to optimized and more efficient designs for energy devices. Here, we describe how three-dimensional (3D) printing will allow the fabrication of bespoke devices, with complex geometries, tailored to fit specific requirements and applications, by designing water-based thermoresponsive inks to 3D-print different materials in one step, for example, printing the active material precursor (reduced chemically modified graphene (rCMG)) and the current collector (copper) for supercapacitors or anodes for lithium-ion batteries. The formulation of thermoresponsive inks using Pluronic F127 provides an aqueous-based, robust, flexible, and easily upscalable approach. The devices are designed to provide low resistance interface, enhanced electrical properties, mechanical performance, packing of rCMG, and low active material density while facilitating the postprocessing of the multicomponent 3D-printed structures. The electrode materials are selected to match postprocessing conditions. The reduction of the active material (rCMG) and sintering of the current collector (Cu) take place simultaneously. The electrochemical performance of the rCMG-based self-standing binder-free electrode and the two materials coupled rCMG/Cu printed electrode prove the potential of multimaterial printing in energy applications.

Using graphene networks to build bioinspired self-monitoring ceramics.

The properties of graphene open new opportunities for the fabrication of composites exhibiting unique structural and functional capabilities. However, to achieve this goal we should build materials with carefully designed architectures. Here, we describe the fabrication of ceramic-graphene composites by combining graphene foams with pre-ceramic polymers and spark plasma sintering. The result is a material containing an interconnected, microscopic network of very thin (20-30 nm), electrically conductive, carbon interfaces. This network generates electrical conductivities up to two orders of magnitude higher than those of other ceramics with similar graphene or carbon nanotube contents and can be used to monitor 'in situ' structural integrity. In addition, it directs crack propagation, promoting stable crack growth and increasing the fracture resistance by an order of magnitude. These results demonstrate that the rational integration of nanomaterials could be a fruitful path towards building composites combining unique mechanical and functional performances.

A facile way to produce epoxy nanocomposites having excellent thermal conductivity with low contents of reduced graphene oxide.

A well-dispersed phase of exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets was initially prepared in water. This was concentrated by centrifugation and was mixed with a liquid epoxy resin. The remaining water was removed by evaporation, leaving a GO dispersion in epoxy resin. A stoichiometric amount of an anhydride curing agent was added to this epoxy-resin mixture containing the GO nanosheets, which was then cured at 90 °C for 1 h followed by 160 °C for 2 h. A second thermal treatment step of 200 °C for 30 min was then undertaken to reduce further the GO in situ in the epoxy nanocomposite. An examination of the morphology of such nanocomposites containing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) revealed that a very good dispersion of rGO was achieved throughout the epoxy polymer. Various thermal and mechanical properties of the epoxy nanocomposites were measured, and the most noteworthy finding was a remarkable increase in the thermal conductivity when relatively very low contents of rGO were present. For example, a value of 0.25 W/mK was measured at 30 °C for the nanocomposite with merely 0.06 weight percentage (wt%) of rGO present, which represents an increase of ~40% compared with that of the unmodified epoxy polymer. This value represents one of the largest increases in the thermal conductivity per wt% of added rGO yet reported. These observations have been attributed to the excellent dispersion of rGO achieved in these nanocomposites made via this facile production method. The present results show that it is now possible to tune the properties of an epoxy polymer with a simple and viable method of GO addition.

Ultralight, Strong, Three-Dimensional SiC Structures.

Ultralight and strong three-dimensional (3D) silicon carbide (SiC) structures have been generated by the carbothermal reduction of SiO with a graphene foam (GF). The resulting SiC foams have an average height of 2 mm and density ranging between 9 and 17 mg cm(-3). They are the lightest reported SiC structures. They consist of hollow struts made from ultrathin SiC flakes and long 1D SiC nanowires growing from the trusses, edges, and defect sites between layers. AFM results revealed an average flake thickness of 2-3 nm and lateral size of 2 µm. In-situ compression tests in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) show that, compared with most of the existing lightweight foams, the present 3D SiC exhibited superior compression strengths and significant recovery after compression strains of about 70%.

In situ thermally reduced graphene oxide/epoxy composites: thermal and mechanical properties.

Graphene has excellent mechanical, thermal, optical and electrical properties and this has made it a prime target for use as a filler material in the development of multifunctional polymeric composites. However, several challenges need to be overcome to take full advantage of the aforementioned properties of graphene. These include achieving good dispersion and interfacial properties between the graphene filler and the polymeric matrix. In the present work, we report the thermal and mechanical properties of reduced graphene oxide/epoxy composites prepared via a facile, scalable and commercially viable method. Electron micrographs of the composites demonstrate that the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is well dispersed throughout the composite. Although no improvements in glass transition temperature, tensile strength and thermal stability in air of the composites were observed, good improvements in thermal conductivity (about 36 %), tensile and storage moduli (more than 13 %) were recorded with the addition of 2 wt% of rGO.

Self-healing graphene-based composites with sensing capabilities.

A self-healing composite is fabricated by confining a supramolecular polymer in a graphene network. The network provides electrical conductivity. Upon damage, the polymer is released and flows to reform the material. Healing is repeatable and autonomous. The composite is sensitive to pressure and flexion and recovers its mechanical and electrical properties even when rejoining cut surfaces after long exposure times.