Synthetic Multiscale Graphene Aerogel Polymer Composites with High-Conductive Performances for Hyperthermia Equipment

3D interconnection structures are preconstructed by the hydrothermal method, which is considered an effective way to prepare conductive polymers. However, the fabrication of conductive composites to meet the application remains a challenge for relatively low conductive filler content. Herein, a 3D interconnection network is designed by combination of 2D functionalized graphene oxide (FGO), 1D acidified carbon nanotube (ACNT), and 0D copper element to establish conductive aerogel, which is used as reinforcement to prepare conductive FGO-ACNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Both elementary Cu and crisscrossed ACNT act as bridges among graphene nanosheets, which is beneficial to electron or phonon conduction, making the nanocomposites possess high-efficiency electric heating performance and temperature stability. Its electrical conductivity reaches 3.33 S m(-1) with only 1.1% of FGO-ACNT, and the temperature quickly reaches up to 344 degrees C at the voltage of 9 V within 73 s. Importantly, the FGO-ACNT/epoxy nanocomposite shows prompt heat-responsivity, and it can heat up to 60 degrees C within 7 s from room temperature. When the FGO-ACNT/epoxy nanocomposite is used as a hyperthermia equipment, it exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, prompt heat-responsivity, and good temperature stability. These excellent properties make it possible to be used as a physical therapy device to help human health.

Automated summary

A 3D interconnection network is designed by combining different dimensional nanomaterials to prepare a conductive aerogel with high conductivity and temperature stability, which is used to fabricate nanocomposites with excellent electric heating performance.