Colloidal graphite/graphene nanostructures using collagen showing enhanced thermal conductivity

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a rapid, biomimetic process to produce colloidal graphene from natural graphite using collagen at ambient conditions, resulting in enhanced thermal conductivity and potential bioapplications.

Contribution

The paper introduces a simple, one-day, ambient-condition method to synthesize colloidal graphene/collagen nanocomposites without external energy input, revealing new insights into their structure and properties.

Findings

Graphene forms within one day at ambient conditions without sonication.

Thermal conductivity increases by 17% at very low volume fractions of graphene.

Colloidal graphene/collagen composites show promise for bio-related applications.

Abstract

Time kinetics of interaction of natural graphite (GR) to colloidal graphene (G) collagen (C) nanocomposites was studied at ambient conditions, and observed that just one day at ambient conditions is enough to form colloidal graphene directly from graphite using the protein collagen. Neither controlled temperature and pressure ambiance nor sonication was needed for the same; thereby rendering the process biomimetic. Detailed spectroscopy, X ray diffraction, electron microscopy as well as fluorescence and luminescence assisted characterization of the colloidal dispersions on day one and day seven reveals graphene and collagen interaction and subsequent rearrangement to form an open structure. Detailed confocal microscopy, in the liquid state, reveals the initial attack at the zigzag edges of GR, the enhancement of auto fluorescence and finally the opening up of graphitic stacks of GR to form near transparent G. Atomic Force Microscopy studies prove the existence of both collagen and graphene and the disruption of periodicity at the atomic level. Thermal conductivity of the colloid shows a 17% enhancement for a volume fraction of less than 0.00005 of G. Time variant increase in thermal conductivity provides qualitative evidence for the transient exfoliation of GR to G. The composite reveals interesting properties that could propel it as a future material for advanced bio applications including therapeutics.