Mechanically robust honeycomb graphene aerogel multifunctional polymer composites

This work reports the fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional (3D) graphene aerogel (GA)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites (GAPC) with outstanding mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. GAPC was fabricated by impregnating 3D GA frameworks with PDMS via ice-bath-assisted infiltration and vacuum curing processes. Because of the well-interconnected 3D GA frameworks, GAPC exhibits extremely large deformability (compressive strain = 80% and tensile strain = 90%), high electrical and thermal conductivities (1 S/cm and 0.68 W/(m K), respectively), a stable piezo-resistance effect, rapid electric Joule heating performance ((dT/dt)(max) > 3 degrees C/s under a heating power of 12 W/cm(3)), and high hydrophobicity (contact angle = 135 degrees). Furthermore, GAPC exhibits a negative temperature coefficient of expansion with decreased electrical resistivity over a broad temperature range, indicating a typical semiconducting behavior and a dual two-dimensional/3D hopping conduction mechanism. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.