Researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois have discovered a new form of super-strong, super flexible paper that looks set to be the first in a whole new range of futuristic materials. Although unlikely to be used as regular note-paper, graphene oxide paper is tougher than steel and as flexible as carbon fiber. It outperforms all other types of carbon paper and is lightweight enough to be considered for many different uses, including solar cells.
Graphene was discovered in 2004 and since then scientists like Rodney Ruoff have been tinkering with it until now. Once immersed in water graphene, (a form of graphite and a close cousin of the diamond) arranges itself into super strong and flexible sheets only an atom thick and is superior to all other materials with the exception of diamond. Ruoff and his colleagues have now made free standing sheets of graphene paper and have no doubts that it will soon be mixed with polymers and metals and replacing similar materials in airplanes, cars, buildings and even sporting goods like tennis rackets.
The most amazing feature of graphene oxide paper or Element 12, as it is also called, is that it can be tuned in the oxidizing process to be a conductor, a semi-conductor or an insulator. This means that the options for its applications are far more flexible and the sky’s the limit on what it can be used for. As strong as graphene paper is now, if a tough glue were to be introduced between the graphene platelets, a very powerful and stable material would be produced. The idea of this has many excited about it’s versatility and scientists like Ruoff busy.
It is extremely cheap and easy to manufacture and Ruoff’s research team see endless possibilities as graphene has exceptional mechanical, thermal, optical and electrical properties. Ruoff has, ‘little doubt that very large-area sheets of this paper material could be made in the future.’ Graphene paper may well be used in protective coatings, electronic components, batteries and also fuel cells. The membrane within the sheet is able to effectively store energy for fuel cell applications. Also if embedded into glass films, graphene sheets can be used in solar cells and are a cheaper alternative to the widely used indium tin oxide coatings that are typically used.
Graphene oxide paper does have one weakness though, if exposed to water again it loses all strength and breaks up. This includes all forms of liquids, like rain for example. Scientists are currently working on a solution that replaces the water in the sheet making process with other molecules but this research may take up to a decade. Different ways of binding it with other elements are being explored, to effectively waterproof the paper. Laminating or sealing it also seem to be under consideration. In the meantime though, scientists are celebrating the discovery of this new extremely strong material, heralding it as the beginning of a new age of super smart products and materials.
