Self-assembled foam-like graphene networks formed through nucleate boiling

Sci Rep. 2013:3:1396. doi: 10.1038/srep01396.

Abstract

Self-assembled foam-like graphene (SFG) structures were formed using a simple nucleate boiling method, which is governed by the dynamics of bubble generation and departure in the graphene colloid solution. The conductivity and sheet resistance of the calcined (400°C) SFG film were 11.8 S·cm(-1) and 91.2 Ω□(-1), respectively, and were comparable to those of graphene obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) (~10 S·cm(-1)). The SFG structures can be directly formed on any substrate, including transparent conductive oxide (TCO) glasses, metals, bare glasses, and flexible polymers. As a potential application, SFG formed on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) exhibited a slightly better overall efficiency (3.6%) than a conventional gold electrode (3.4%) as a cathode of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrodes
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Graphite