Recently, a research team from Zhejiang University used the solvation effect of glycerol molecules on graphene oxide to design a graphene oxide/glycerin 3D printing ink. This research has opened up the scope of new three-dimensional graphene framework materials and laid the foundation for the application of graphene materials in the fields of energy storage, composite materials, and catalysis.
The research team designed a high-concentration homogeneous graphene oxide/glycerin dispersion as a 3D printing ink, and explored the influence of graphene oxide concentration on the rheological behavior of the dispersion. They used ink direct writing technology to prepare graphene microlattice materials. The obtained graphene microlattice material exhibits the characteristics of high density, high strength, high compressibility and high conductivity, and has good application prospects.
Solvated graphene-based materials are an important topic in the field of preparation of graphene macroscopic assemblies. Using the liquid crystal behavior and colloidal properties of graphene oxide aqueous dispersions, scientists have previously developed a series of routes to prepare graphene fibers, membranes, aerogels and other macroscopic assemblies using graphene oxide as a precursor. However, these routes present new challenges when adapting to 3D printing technology. 3D printing technology has strict rheological requirements for printing inks such as high viscosity, high modulus, and rapid shear thinning, which are difficult to achieve with traditional graphene oxide dispersions.
The development of 3D printing technology is inseparable from the development of its printing materials. At present, the more mature 3D printing technologies include SLS, SLA, FDM, etc. The printing materials corresponding to different printing technologies are also different. For example, the commonly used printing materials for SLS are Metal powder, while SLA usually uses photosensitive resin, FDM uses a wide range of materials, such as ABS plastic, PLA plastic and so on.
Graphene is called black gold, the king of new materials, and scientists even predict that graphene will "completely change the 21st century." It is currently the thinnest material known, only one carbon atom thick, and it is also the strongest material, about 200 times stronger than structural steel. Graphene’s electrical conductivity is better than copper, and its thermal conductivity is better than all other materials. Graphene is almost completely transparent, but its structure is so tight that even the smallest atomic helium cannot pass through it. As the thinnest, strongest, and strongest new type of nanomaterial found so far, graphene is very likely to set off a disruptive new technology and new industrial revolution sweeping the world.
It is not difficult to imagine that if graphene can be successfully used as a 3D printing material, the performance of the parts that can be constructed by 3D printers in terms of strength, lightness, flexibility and conductivity will be greatly improved.