CVD nanocrystalline multilayer graphene coated 3D-printed alumina lattices

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 202; pp. 36 - 46
• Main Authors: Ramírez, Cristina, Shamshirgar, Ali Saffar, Pérez-Coll, Domingo, Osendi, María Isabel, Miranzo, Pilar, Tewari, Girish C., Karppinen, Maarit, Hussainova, Irina, Belmonte, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2023
• Subjects: 3D graphene network; Alumina; CVD graphene; Direct ink writing; Electrical conductivity; Nanocrystalline graphene; Thermal conductivity; 3D graphene network; Electrical conductivity; Direct ink writing; Thermal conductivity; Nanocrystalline graphene; Alumina; CVD graphene
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.10.085

3D printing technologies have expanded the possibilities of fabricating new composite materials with tailored properties, which depend on both the materials selected and the structural design at multiple length scales. Here, a catalyst-free CVD method has been used to produce hybrid materials based on 3D printed cellular α-Al2O3 substrates decorated by either nanocrystalline graphene or nanocrystalline graphitic films of tunable number of layers. Graphene-based coatings of variable thickness and crystallinity have been controlled by the alteration of the parameters of CVD processing, performed under CH4/H2 flux. Transmission electron microscopy has confirmed the effective growth of nanocrystalline graphene layers on the scaffolds due to the penetration of CVD gases into the open pores. The fully-connected and highly conductive 3D pathways have displayed a room temperature electrical conductivity in the range of 101–103 S m−1. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity has also increased by 50% for the specimen decorated with a 20 nm thick graphitic coating as compared to a bare 3D ceramic scaffold. The developed structures open up new possibilities for expanding the field of application of graphene/ceramic composites for conditions requiring dielectric substrates of various shapes coated with conductive films or graphene-based catalytic supports with good structural stability. [Display omitted] •Highly porous 3D-printed Al2O3 supports coated for the first time by CVD nanocrystalline multilayer graphene.•Tunable electrical and thermal properties of graphene-alumina hybrids.•Electrical conductivity up to 103 S m−1, 50% augmented thermal conductivity and hydrophobic surfaces.