Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
14:52
Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Based Polyhedrons via Origami-Like Self-Folding
Published on: September 23, 2018
Freestanding 3D Multilayer Graphene Foams from Nanotextured Ni-Cu Templates
Jaimon Chonedan Johnson1,2, Nicolò Galvani2, Piera Maccagnani2
1Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new method for creating stable, freestanding three-dimensional (3D) graphene foams. This process ensures reproducible porosity and preserves the 3D structure after metal template removal, yielding conductive scaffolds with excellent light absorption.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) graphene foams offer potential as lightweight, conductive scaffolds with high surface area and broadband light absorption.
- Challenges include reproducible porosity and maintaining structural integrity during metal template removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reproducible method for fabricating freestanding 3D multilayer graphene foams.
- To investigate the impact of pre-annealing time on template evolution, graphene growth, and foam stability.
Main Methods:
- A stepwise fabrication process involving hydrogen-bubble-assisted electrodeposition of nickel, time-controlled pre-annealing of Ni-Cu alloy templates, in situ graphene chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and wet etching.
- Systematic investigation using SEM, EDS, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Pre-annealing for at least 3 hours was crucial for preserving the 3D architecture after metal scaffold removal, forming self-supporting graphenic networks.
- Increased pre-annealing time reduced structural degradation, residual strain, and stacking disorder.
- Foams from 3-7 hour pre-annealing exhibited stable 3D morphology, low sheet resistance (10-20 Ω/□), low transmittance (<5%), and high broadband visible-light absorption (75-90%).
Conclusions:
- The developed stepwise route enables the fabrication of stable, freestanding 3D graphene foams with controlled porosity and excellent properties.
- Optimized pre-annealing is key to achieving robust graphenic networks suitable for applications requiring lightweight conductive scaffolds with broadband light absorption.
