Graphene has attracted much interest since its discovery in 2004 due to a host of exceptional properties. These properties include a high mechanical strength, high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, and large surface area. More recently, the concept of macroporous graphenes, more specifically monoliths with pores sizes > 1 micron, has begun to emerge with the prospect of developing three principal application areas namely: electrodes conducting frameworks for polymer thermosets, and filtration/pollution control. These applications all have a shared requirement for easily accessible pores of the type inherent to macroporous structures. In applications where electrical conductivity is needed, such as electrode materials, the easily accessible pores and continuous electrically conducting structure of macroporous graphene can improve electron transport and electrolyte diffusion compared to discontinuous powder electrodes.
This project will look at new methods to produce macroporous 3D graphene foams using a variety of templating methods. The material produced will be investigated in energy storage applications.