Self-assembled graphene-based microfibers with eclectic optical properties

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 5451 - 12
• Main Authors: Ghamsari, Mahdi, Madrakian, Tayyebeh, Afkhami, Abbas, Ahmadi, Mazaher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 09.03.2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/301/357/551; 639/301/357/918; Birefringence; Electrical properties; Fabrication; Fibers; Graphene; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Optical properties; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sonication; Textiles
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84940-0

The construction of graphene-based microfibers with reinforced mechanical and electrical properties has been the subject of numerous researches in recent years. However, the fabrication of graphene-based fibers with remarkable optical features still remains a challenge and has not been addressed so far. This paper aims to report a series of flexible self-assembled fibers, synthesized through a few-minute sonication of thermally oxidized graphene oxide nanosheets, so-called Nanoporous Over-Oxidized Graphene (NOG), in an acidic medium. These free-standing glassy fibers were classified into four distinct morphological structures and displayed a collection of intriguing optical properties comprising high transparency, strong birefringence, fixed body colorations (e.g. colorless, blue, green, and red), tunable interference marginal colorations, UV–visible-near IR fluorescence, and upconversion emissions. Moreover, they exhibited high chemical stability in strongly acidic, basic, and oxidizing media. The foregoing notable attributes introduce the NOG fiber as a promising candidate both for the construction of graphene-based photoluminescent textiles and the development of a wide variety of optical applications.