Integration of stiff graphene and tough silk for the design and fabrication of versatile electronic materials

Shengjie Ling; Qi Wang; Dong Zhang; Yingying Zhang; Xuan Mu; David L. Kaplan; Markus J. Buehler

doi:10.1002/adfm.201705291

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Integration of stiff graphene and tough silk for the design and fabrication of versatile electronic materials

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Integration of stiff graphene and tough silk for the design and fabrication of versatile electronic materials

Shengjie Ling, Qi Wang, Dong Zhang, Yingying Zhang, Xuan Mu, David L. Kaplan and Markus J. Buehler

Advanced functional materials, Vol.28(9), pp.1705291-n/a

12/19/2017

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201705291

PMCID: PMC6261468

PMID: 30505261

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Abstract

The production of structural and functional materials with enhanced mechanical properties through the integration of soft and hard components is a common approach to Nature’s materials design. However, directly mimicking these optimized design routes in the lab for practical applications remains challenging. For example, graphene and silk are two materials with complementary mechanical properties that feature ultrahigh stiffness and toughness, respectively. Yet no simple and controllable approach has been developed to homogeneously integrate these two components into functional composites, mainly due to the hydrophobicity and chemical inertness of the graphene. In this study, well-dispersed and highly stable graphene/silk fibroin (SF) suspension systems were developed, which are suitable for processing to fabricate polymorphic materials, such as films, fibers, and coatings. The obtained graphene/SF nanocomposites maintain the electronic advantages of graphene, and they also allow tailorable mechanical performance to form including ultrahigh stretchable (with a strain to failure to 611±85%), or high strength (339 MPa) and high stiffness (7.4 GPa) material systems. More remarkably, the electrical resistances of these graphene/SF materials are sensitive to material deformation, body movement, as well as humidity and chemical environmental changes. These unique features promise their utility as wearable sensors, smart textiles, intelligent skins, and human-machine interfaces.

electronic materials

Graphene

processing

silk

Details

Title: Subtitle: Integration of stiff graphene and tough silk for the design and fabrication of versatile electronic materials
Creators: Shengjie Ling - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Qi Wang - Tsinghua University
Dong Zhang - Department of Communication and Electronic Information, Shanghai Vocational College of Science & Technology, Shanghai 201800, China.
Yingying Zhang - Tsinghua University
Xuan Mu - Tufts University
David L. Kaplan - Tufts University
Markus J. Buehler - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Advanced functional materials, Vol.28(9), pp.1705291-n/a
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201705291
PMID: 30505261
PMCID: PMC6261468
NLM abbreviation: Adv Funct Mater
ISSN: 1616-301X
eISSN: 1616-3028
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/501100012600, name: ShanghaiTech University
Language: English
Date published: 12/19/2017
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984277261502771

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