Inner Surface-Functionalized Graphene Aerogel Microgranules with Static Microwave Attenuation and Dynamic Infrared...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Bulk graphene aerogels offer excellent properties for energy storage, catalysis, and electromagnetic shielding.
• Graphene aerogel microgranules and their electromagnetic performance remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel floatable graphene aerogel microgranules.
• To investigate their electromagnetic shielding capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hydrogel microparticles.
• In situ modification with silica nanoparticles.
• Characterization of hydrophobicity, density, specific surface area, and electromagnetic shielding.

Main Results:

• Floatable graphene aerogel microgranules achieved high hydrophobicity (137°), low density (13.5 mg/cm³), and high specific surface area (516 m²/g).
• Silica-modified rGO aerogel microgranules exhibited efficient static electromagnetic shielding (average 30.3 dB in 8-18 GHz).
• Demonstrated dynamic infrared shielding (>10 dB during 15 min floatation).

Conclusions:

• A new strategy for creating functional aerogel microgranules was established.
• Silica-modified graphene aerogel microgranules show promise for electromagnetic shielding applications.
• This research inspires the development of advanced aerogel microgranules for diverse fields.