Fabrication of light, flexible and multifunctional graphene nanoribbon fibers via a 3D solution printing method

Nanotechnology. 2016 Nov 18;27(46):465702. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/46/465702. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Abstract

Graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) are one of the most promising carbon based materials. The integration of 2D GONR sheets into macroscopic materials, such as continuous fibers or film, leads the way in translating the good properties of individual GONR sheets into macroscopic and ordered materials for future applications. In this study, we first report the fabrication of GONR fibers utilizing GONR sheets as the raw material without any supporting surfactant or polymer. The method of fabricating fibers is referred to as '3D solution printing'. GONR fibers exhibit good mechanical and electrical properties, whose tensile strength and electrical conductivity could reach up to 95 MPa and 680 S cm-1, respectively. Hence, the fabricated 3D integrated circuits are lighter and smaller compared to traditional metal circuits, and with high electrical properties. The 3D integrated circuits, therefore, have a bright future prospect.