Graphene is a two-dimensional material with a hexagonal array of sp<sup>2</sup> hybridized carbon. It is known for its excellent electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. Potential applications of graphene include supercapacitors, composites, biosensors, ultra-thin touchscreens, and solar cells. However, utilizing these extraordinary properties often requires exfoliating graphite into individual graphene sheets. Our group has found that the interfacial energy between water and oil provides a thermodynamically driven approach to exfoliate graphite, as the graphene sheets spread at the interface to lower the free energy of the system. With this approach, we have made conductive foams by polymerizing the continuous phase of graphene stabilized water-in-oil emulsions. These foams are conductive due to the thin film of overlapping graphene sheets lining the cells of the foams and providing a self-assembled percolating network of graphene. To directly study the conductivity of the graphene films imbedded in these foams, we recreate the water-graphene-polymer films at a flat interface and directly measure the surface resistance. We studied the effect of monomer type, polymer density, crosslinker type and concentration, initiator type and concentration, aqueous phase salt content, and inhibitor, on exfoliation and electrical conductivity of the graphene films. In addition, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, SEM, and other techniques were used to study the interfacial graphene films.

Understanding the electrical conductivity of overlapping graphene films at polymer/water interfaces

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.