Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Preparation of Graphene Liquid Cells for the Observation of Lithium-ion Battery Material
Published on: February 5, 2019
Macroscopic Graphene Oxide Hollow Spheres.
Bo Wang1, Yiwen Chen1, Gabriele Capilli1
1Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada.
Researchers created ultralight graphene oxide (GO) hollow spheres inspired by soap bubbles. These self-assembled GO spheres exhibit remarkable size ratios and can encapsulate particles, showing potential for diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Graphene oxide (GO) is a 2D material with unique properties.
- Hollow structures offer advantages in various applications.
- Controlling self-assembly of nanomaterials is crucial for advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for creating millimeter-sized graphene oxide (GO) hollow spheres.
- To investigate the self-assembly properties of GO in bubble formation.
- To explore the potential applications of these GO hollow spheres.
Main Methods:
- Producing GO-stabilized bubbles by blowing air into a GO and surfactant suspension.
- Air-drying the bubbles to form self-supporting hollow spheres.
- Encapsulating particles within the bubbles in a hydrated state.
- Thermal treatment to form reduced GO (rGO) hollow spheres.
- Coating rGO spheres with poly(ethylenimine)/GO shells.
Main Results:
- Achieved self-supporting hollow spheres with an exceptional diameter-to-wall thickness ratio (65,000).
- Obtained ultralow density spheres (0.16 mg/cm³).
- Demonstrated GO self-assembly into nanometer-thin lamellar walls preventing bubble collapse.
- Showcased particle encapsulation within hollow spheres.
- Developed rGO hollow spheres with gas transport inhibiting shells.
Conclusions:
- Millimeter-sized GO hollow spheres can be fabricated using a bubble-blowing method.
- The self-assembly of GO during drying leads to stable, ultralight structures.
- These GO and rGO hollow spheres have significant potential for applications due to their unique properties and tunability.
More Related Videos
08:18Microscopic Visualization of Porous Nanographenes Synthesized through a Combination of Solution and On-Surface Chemistry
Published on: March 4, 2021
08:57Scalable Syntheses of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide using Cascade Design Oxidation and Highly Basic Reduction Reactions
Published on: July 3, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Molecular Models
π Molecular Orbitals of 1,3-Butadiene
The simplest conjugated diene is 1,3-butadiene: a four-carbon system where each carbon is sp2-hybridized and has an unhybridized p orbital that contains an unpaired electron. According to molecular orbital theory, atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals such that the number...
Circular Orbits and Critical Velocity for Satellites
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) first suggested that the Earth and all other planets orbit the Sun in...
Energy of a Satellite in a Circular Orbit
Reduced Mass Coordinates: Isolated Two-body Problem