Self-Assembled Graphene Hydrogel <i>via</i> a One-Step Hydrothermal Process

TLDR

Self‑assembly of two‑dimensional graphene sheets is a key strategy for creating macroscopic graphene architectures, yet three‑dimensional self‑assembled networks have not been achieved. The study aims to prepare a self‑assembled graphene hydrogel (SGH) via a convenient one‑step hydrothermal method. The SGH is fabricated by a single‑step hydrothermal process that yields a three‑dimensional graphene network. The resulting SGH is electrically conductive, mechanically robust, thermally stable, and shows high specific capacitance, making it attractive for biotechnological and electrochemical applications such as drug delivery, tissue scaffolds, bionic nanocomposites, and supercapacitors.

Abstract

Self-assembly of two-dimensional graphene sheets is an important strategy for producing macroscopic graphene architectures for practical applications, such as thin films and layered paperlike materials. However, construction of graphene self-assembled macrostructures with three-dimensional networks has never been realized. In this paper, we prepared a self-assembled graphene hydrogel (SGH) via a convenient one-step hydrothermal method. The SGH is electrically conductive, mechanically strong, and thermally stable and exhibits a high specific capacitance. The high-performance SGH with inherent biocompatibility of carbon materials is attractive in the fields of biotechnology and electrochemistry, such as drug-delivery, tissue scaffolds, bionic nanocomposites, and supercapacitors.