Fabrication of graphene and N-doped graphene aerogels and comparing their electrical, mechanical, and adsorption capacity properties

Abstract

In this study, Nitrogen-doped (N-doped) graphene as an excellent multifunctional material was prepared and its properties was compared with undoped graphene aerogels. The aerogels were prepared using drying method at ambient pressure. Ammonia was used as a nitrogen source to make N-doped graphene aerogel. The density of the prepared graphene aerogel was measured 15.37 mg/cm³ and that of N-doped graphene aerogel was 12.81 mg/cm³. Morphology, porosity and chemical composition of samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen uptake measurement, X-ray energy diffraction spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical and electrical properties of both aerogels were measured and compared. Also, adsorption capacity of crude oil, petrol, cooking oil and gasoline by graphene and N-doped graphene aerogels were measured and found that adsorption capacity of N-doped aerogels is higher. The highest uptake adsorption capacity of graphene and N-doped graphene aerogels for crude oil was 33 gg⁻¹ and 42 gg⁻¹, respectively.

Highlights

• Graphene and N-doped graphene aerogels were produced by freeze casting.

• Thermal and electrical conductivities of N-doped aerogels was higher.

• Adsorption capacity of oil derivatives by N-doped aerogels was higher.

• Adsorption capacity of pure and N-doped aerogels for crude oil was 33 gg⁻¹ and 42 gg⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Graphene aerogels
• N-doped graphene aerogels
• adsorption capacity
• mechanical properties
• electrical properties

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz for the financial support of this work.