Abstract:

The interface between two fluids is not only important for defining reactivity of dislike materials, but is also applicable for the preparation of stable higher order structures. Recently, the Pentzer lab developed 2D carbon-based nanosheets that assemble at different fluid-fluid interfaces including oil-water, oil-oil, and ionic liquid-water and demonstrated the use of these Pickering emulsions as templates for the preparation of higher order hybrid structures. Graphene oxide (GO) and its functionalized analogues are used as the 2D particle surfactant, and are especially attractive given they have properties distinct and complimentary to the more commonly studied spherical and rod-like counterparts, and because these nanosheets are multifunctional (e.g., antimicrobial, good gas barriers, precursor to electrically conductive nanosheets, etc.).  Recent advances from the Pentzer lab will be reported, including preparation of Janus nanosheets, water-sensitive reactions in oil-in-oil emulsions, GO capsules filled with ionic liquid for supercapacitor electrodes, GO capsules for compartmentalization of phase change materials, and GO coatings for 3D printable polymers to prepare conductive structures. This work makes use of fundamental organic chemistry reactions and thus gives access to unique structures and assemblies of interest for a broad range of applications in a scalable fashion.