Scalable Seashell-Based Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of Three-Dimensional Graphene Foams for Oil/Water Separation

 

LR Shi, K Chen, R Du, A Bachmatiuk, MH Rummeli, KW Xie, YY Huang, YF Zhang*, ZF Liu*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138(20), 6360-6363.

 

ABSTRACT: A seashell-based CVD technique for preparing three-dimensional (3D) graphene foams is reported. The graphene sheets in thus-obtained foams are seamlessly interconnected into a 3D flexible network, forming highly porous materials with negligible noncarbon impurities, ultralow density, and outstanding mechanical flexibility and electrical conductivity. These 3D graphene foams demonstrate a fast adsorption performance toward various oils and organic solvents, with adsorption capacity up to 250-fold weight gain. The present approach offers a practical route for scalable construction of 3D graphene foams for versatile applications such as energy storage and water remediation.