Properties of Pristine Graphene Composites Arising from the Mechanism of Graphene-Stabilized Emulsion Formation

Inexpensive, strong, and electrically conductive pristine graphene composites are synthesized from graphene-stabilized emulsions. These materials do not utilize oxidized graphite (GO) or reduced oxidized graphite (rGO), instead taking advantage of the recently demonstrated surfactant qualities of pristine graphene sheets. Using monomer as the oil phase, water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by graphene are polymerized to form porous composites with a continuous network of hollow graphene lined spheres. The effects of graphite flake size, emulsion settling, graphite concentration, and solvent ratio on composite properties such as electrical conductivity, strength, and density are investigated. We relate changes in the composite morphology to the observed property changes, and discuss the cause and effect of larger sphere sizes in the composite materials. Controlling and understanding properties such as conductivity and strength is a critical requirement for envisioned applications such as batteries, capacitors, and structural materials.