High-yield, high-conductive graphene/nanocellulose hybrids prepared by Co-exfoliation of low-oxidized expanded graphite and microfibrillated cellulose

Nowadays, high performance and functional low-dimensional nanomaterials have been targeted in modern sustainable energy science for diverse potential applications. However, broad applications of emerging nanomaterials such as graphene and biomass nanofillers have suffered from low preparation efficiency, low quality of products, unstable dispersion in matrix. In this study, a 100% yield of low-oxidized graphene/nanocellulose hybrids (LGENC) was prepared by one-pot ball milling. Low-oxidized expanded graphite (LOEG) and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were used as precursors for fabricating LGENC by the co-exfoliation strategy. That is, exfoliation of LOEG, nanofibrillation of MFC and their hybridization were simultaneously realized under the shear and collision of balls milling. The concentration of LGENC suspension can be concentrated to 50 mg/mL, which has great potential for 3D printing. A series of characterization identified the hybridization of low-oxidized graphene (LGE) and nanocellulose via hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interaction, and confirmed that the LGE has fewer oxygen functional groups and more complete structure than graphene oxide. Benefiting from the intact structure, the conductivity of LGENC can reach up to similar to 5800 S/m. In addition, the as-prepared LGENC showed significant potential in reinforcing rubber latex. In general, this study proposes a high-efficiency preparation method for graphene/cellulose hybrid materials with extraordinary properties.

Automated summary

This study presents a high-efficiency preparation method for low-oxidized graphene/nanocellulose hybrids (LGENC) with 100% yield using a one-pot ball milling process. The co-exfoliation strategy allowed for simultaneous exfoliation of low-oxidized expanded graphite (LOEG) and nanofibrillation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) to achieve hybridization under shear and collision forces. The LGENC suspension could be concentrated to 50 mg/mL, showing great potential for 3D printing. Characterization confirmed the interaction between low-oxidized graphene (LGE) and nanocellulose, highlighting the material's extraordinary properties.