Towards functional and defect-free 3D graphene architectures

The development of functional and defect-free three-dimensional (3D) graphene materials promise to provide a new platform for a vast number of applications in energy storage, catalysis, bio-medicine, engineering and nanoelectronics. This project aims to address key challenges in the research of 3D graphene and develop new nanoporous 3D graphene materials with (i) high electrical conductivity, (ii) low defect density, (iii) a well-defined number of graphene layers, (iv) large effective surface area, and (v) controllable size of nanopores using three different fabrication approaches combined with post high-temperature annealing up to temperatures of 3000 °C. The high-temperature annealing under different gas atmospheres will be investigated to improve crystallinity and electrical conductivity of 3D graphene via processes of defects healing and graphene sheet joining/welding. Furthermore, we will study ion and molecule intercalation and deintercalation mechanisms in 3D graphene to modify its electrical properties and create functional 3D electrode materials.