Self-assembled graphene-based microfibers with eclectic optical properties

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Graphene-based microfibers are researched for mechanical and electrical properties.
• Graphene fibers with significant optical properties remain a fabrication challenge.
• Existing research has not addressed optical features of graphene fibers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the synthesis of flexible self-assembled graphene-based fibers.
• To investigate the optical properties of these novel fibers.
• To explore potential applications in photoluminescent textiles and optical devices.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Nanoporous Over-Oxidized Graphene (NOG) fibers via sonication of thermally oxidized graphene oxide nanosheets in an acidic medium.
• Classification of synthesized fibers into four distinct morphological structures.
• Characterization of optical properties including transparency, birefringence, coloration, fluorescence, and upconversion emissions.

Main Results:

• Fabrication of free-standing, glassy NOG fibers with remarkable optical characteristics.
• Observed properties include high transparency, strong birefringence, fixed and tunable colorations, UV-Vis-NIR fluorescence, and upconversion emissions.
• NOG fibers demonstrated high chemical stability in acidic, basic, and oxidizing environments.

Conclusions:

• NOG fibers present a novel class of graphene-based materials with exceptional optical functionalities.
• The unique combination of optical and chemical properties makes NOG fibers highly promising.
• Potential applications include advanced photoluminescent textiles and diverse optical devices.