Magnetic field controlled graphene oxide-based origami with enhanced surface area and mechanical properties

One can utilize the folding of paper to build fascinating 3D origami architectures with extraordinary mechanical properties and surface area. Inspired by the same, the morphology of 2D graphene can be tuned by addition of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles in the presence of a magnetic field. The innovative 3D architecture with enhanced mechanical properties also shows a high surface area (∼2500 m² g^-1) which is utilized for oil absorption. Detailed microscopy and spectroscopy reveal rolling of graphene oxide (GO) sheets due to the magnetic field driven action of magnetite particles, which is further supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The macroscopic and local deformation resulting from in situ mechanical loading inside a scanning electron microscope reveals a change in the mechanical response due to a change internal morphology, which is further supported by MD simulation.