Surface Modification of Sulfur-Assisted Reduced Graphene Oxide with Poly(phenylene sulfide) for Multifunctional Nanocomposites.

The sulfur on the sulfur-assisted reduced graphene oxide (SrGO) surface provides the origin of poly(phenylene sulfide) PPS-grafting via SNAr mechanism. In-situ polymerization from sulfur on SrGO afforded surface modification of SrGO, resulting in enhanced dispersibility in PPS. The tensile strength, electrical and thermal conductivities, and flame retardancy of PPS-coated SrGO were efficiently enhanced using highly concentrated SrGO and masterbatch (MB) for industrial purposes. Three-dimensional X-ray microtomography scanning revealed that diluting MB in the PPS resin afforded finely distributed SrGO across the PPS resin, compared to the aggregated state of graphene oxide. For the samples after dilution, the thermal conductivity and flame retardancy of PPS/SrGO are preserved and typically enhanced by up to 20%. The proposed PPS/SrGO MB shows potential application as an additive for reinforced PPS due to the ease of addition during the extrusion process.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Effect of Graphene Oxide Fiber on Fish Bacteria for Application in Aquaculture Systems.

The growing importance of the domestic aquaculture industry has led not only to its continuous development and expansion but also to an increase in the production of wastewater containing pathogenic microorganisms and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As the existing water purification facilities have a high initial cost of construction, operation, and maintenance, it is necessary to develop an economical solution. Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon-based nanomaterial that is easy to manufacture, inexpensive and has excellent antimicrobial properties. In this study, the antimicrobial effect of GO polyester fibers on seven species of fish pathogenic bacteria was analyzed to evaluate their effectiveness in water treatment systems and related products. As a result of incubating GO polyester fibers with seven types of fish pathogenic bacteria for 1, 6, and 12 h, there was no antimicrobial effect in Vibrio harveyi, V. scopthalmi, and Edwardsiella tarda. In contrast, GO fibers showed antimicrobial effects of more than 99% against A. hydrophila, S. parauberis, S. iniae, and P. piscicola, suggesting the potential use of GO fibers in water treatment systems.

Prevention of sulfur diffusion using MoS2-intercalated 3D-nanostructured graphite for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

We report new three-dimensional (3D)-nanostructured MoS2-carbonaceous materials in which MoS2 sheets are intercalated between the graphite layers that possess a multiply repeated graphite/MoS2/graphite structure which prevents the aggregation of MoS2 and diffusion of sulfur from carbonaceous materials, enhancing the cycling stability of Li-ion batteries. We developed an efficient and scalable process applicable to mass production for synthesizing non-aggregated MoS2-intercalated 3D hybrid-nanostructured graphite based on stress induced and microwave irradiation. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photospectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses demonstrated that the as-synthesized materials consisted of MoS2-intercalated 3D hybrid-nanostructured graphite platelets that had a multiply repeated graphite/MoS2/graphite structure. The obtained MoS2-graphite powder surpasses MoS2 as an anode material in terms of specific capacity, cyclic stability, and rate performances at high current densities for Li-ion batteries. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the graphite sheets not only reduced the contact resistance in the electrode but also facilitated electron transfer in the lithiation/delithiation processes. The superior electrochemical performances especially for the cycling stability of the Li-ion battery originate from prevention of the sulfur diffusion of the MoS2-intercalated 3D-nanostructured graphite.

Cylindrical nanostructured MoS2 directly grown on CNT composites for lithium-ion batteries.

Direct attachment of MoS2 to materials with carbonaceous architecture remains a major challenge because of non-intimate contact between the carbonaceous materials and active MoS2 material. In this study, we report a new unique synthetic method to produce a new type of hybrid nanostructure of MoS2-CNTs composites. We developed a novel strategy for the synthesis of cylindrical MoS2 directly grown on CNT composites without the use of any other additives, exhibiting superior electrochemical performance as the anode material of lithium-ion batteries via a microwave irradiation technique. We adopted a simple step-by-step method: coating sulfur on CNTs and then reaction with a Mo source to synthesize hybrid cylindrical nanostructures of the MoS2-CNT composite. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses demonstrated that the as-synthesized MoS2-CNTs possessed a hybrid nanostructure, in which MoS2 sheets were well attached to the CNTs. The directly attached MoS2 sheets on the CNTs showed superior electrochemical performance as anode materials in a lithium-ion battery.

Vertical alignments of graphene sheets spatially and densely piled for fast ion diffusion in compact supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors with porous carbon structures have high energy storage capacity. However, the porous nature of the carbon electrode, composed mainly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) derivatives, negatively impacts the volumetric electrochemical characteristics of the supercapacitors because of poor packing density (<0.5 g cm(-3)). Herein, we report a simple method to fabricate highly dense and vertically aligned reduced graphene oxide (VArGO) electrodes involving simple hand-rolling and cutting processes. Because of their vertically aligned and opened-edge graphene structure, VArGO electrodes displayed high packing density and highly efficient volumetric and areal electrochemical characteristics, very fast electrolyte ion diffusion with rectangular CV curves even at a high scan rate (20 V/s), and the highest volumetric capacitance among known rGO electrodes. Surprisingly, even when the film thickness of the VArGO electrode was increased, its volumetric and areal capacitances were maintained.

High-quality reduced graphene oxide by a dual-function chemical reduction and healing process.

A new chemical dual-functional reducing agent, thiophene, was used to produce high-quality reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a result of a chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and the healing of rGO. Thiophene reduced GO by donation of electrons with acceptance of oxygen while it was converted into an intermediate oxidised polymerised thiophene that was eventually transformed into polyhydrocarbon by loss of sulphur atoms. Surprisingly, the polyhydrocarbon template helped to produce good-quality rGOC (chemically reduced) and high-quality rGOCT after thermal treatment. The resulting rGOCT nanosheets did not contain any nitrogen or sulphur impurities, were highly deoxygenated and showed a healing effect. Thus the electrical properties of the as-prepared rGOCT were superior to those of conventional hydrazine-produced rGO that require harsh reaction conditions. Our novel dual reduction and healing method with thiophene could potentially save energy and facilitate the commercial mass production of high-quality graphene.

Anti-solvent derived non-stacked reduced graphene oxide for high performance supercapacitors.

An anti-solvent for graphene oxide (GO), hexane, is introduced to increase the surface area and the pore volume of the non-stacked GO/reduced GO 3D structure and allows the formation of a highly crumpled non-stacked GO powder, which clearly shows ideal supercapacitor behavior.

Dual functions of highly potent graphene derivative-poly-L-lysine composites to inhibit bacteria and support human cells.

Dual-function poly(L-lysine) (PLL) composites that function as antibacterial agents and promote the growth of human cell culture have been sought by researchers for a long period. In this paper, we report the preparation of new graphene derivative-PLL composites via electrostatic interactions and covalent bonding between graphene derivatives and PLL. The resulting composites were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The novel dual function of PLL composites, specifically antibacterial activity and biocompatibility with human cells [human adipose-derived stem cells and non-small-cell lung carcinoma cells (A549)], was carefully investigated. Graphene-DS-PLL composites composed of 4-carboxylic acid benzene diazonium salt (DS) generated more anionic carboxylic acid groups to bind to cationic PLLs, forming the most potent antibacterial agent among PLL and PLL composites with high biocompatibility with human cell culture. This dual functionality can be used to inhibit bacterial growth while enhancing human cell growth.

Binol salt as a completely removable graphene surfactant.

For the first time, stable aqueous dispersions of graphene sheets can be prepared via exfoliation/in situ reduction of graphene oxide in the presence of binol salt, a stabilizing surfactant that can be completely removed without affecting the properties of graphene sheets.

n-Type reduced graphene oxide field-effect transistors (FETs) from photoactive metal oxides.

Graphene is of considerable interest as a next-generation semiconductor material to serve as a possible substitute for silicon. For real device applications with complete circuits, effective n-type graphene field effect transistors (FETs) capable of operating even under atmospheric conditions are necessary. In this study, we investigated n-type reduced graphene oxide (rGO) FETs of photoactive metal oxides, such as TiO(2) and ZnO. These metal oxide doped FETs showed slight n-type electric properties without irradiation. Under UV light these photoactive materials readily generated electrons and holes, and the generated electrons easily transferred to graphene channels. As a result, the graphene FET showed strong n-type electric behavior and its drain current was increased. These n-doping effects showed saturation curves and slowly returned back to their original state in darkness. Finally, the n-type rGO FET was also highly stable in air due to the use of highly resistant metal oxides and robust graphene as a channel.