Threshold voltage decrease in a thermotropic nematic liquid crystal doped with graphene oxide flakes

We report a threshold voltage decrease in a nematic liquid crystal compound, 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB), doped with graphene oxide (GO) flakes at a concentration of 0.05–0.3 wt %. The threshold voltage decrease was observed at the same concentration in electro-optic and dielectric spectroscopy measurements. The effect is related to the disrupted planar alignment due to the strong π–π stacking between the 5CB’s benzene rings and the graphene oxide’s structure. Additionally, we present the GO concentration dependence on the isotropic–nematic phase transition temperature, electric anisotropy, splay elastic constant, switch-on time, and switch-off time. The shape and dimensions of the GO flakes were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of the GO concentration on the physical properties and switching process in the presence of the electric field was discussed

Application of graphene materials in tribology : analysis of state of the problem and the preliminary research

Publikacja ma na celu przybliżenie podstawowych informacji na temat jednego z najbardziej interesujących materiałów ostatnich lat, jakim jest grafen. Zamieszczono w niej informacje dotyczące struktury grafenu oraz niezwykłych właściwości, jakie z niej wynikają. Przedstawione zostały również metody wytwarzania grafenu oraz obszary techniki, w jakich opisywana substancja znajduje zastosowanie, oraz to, jak może zostać wykorzystana w przyszłości. Szczególną uwagę poświęcono formom zastosowania grafenu w tribologii, obejmującym wykorzystanie wspomnianej substancji w materiałach kompozytowych, powłokach ochronnych oraz jako dodatku do substancji smarnych. Publikacja została opracowana w oparciu o informacje i wyniki badań, zamieszczone w krajowych oraz zagranicznych artykułach, a także wyniki wstępnych badań własnych. Wyniki tych badań dotyczą zmian podstawowych parametrów smarnościowych substancji (oleju i smaru plastycznego) zawierających różną ilość tlenku grafenu (lub porównawczo heksagonalnego azotku boru). Rezultaty potwierdziły korzystny wpływ obecności tlenku grafenu w substancji smarującej na jej właściwości smarnościowe.Present publication describes one of the most interesting materials discovered in recent years, which is graphene. This paperwork contains information about graphene’s structure, properties, applications and methods of synthesis. The special attention has been given to tribological applications of graphene structures, including the usage of the graphene itself in the composite materials, protective integuments, and additives to lubricants (oils, greases). This publication was based on the information and research results published in the international articles and preliminary researches realized at the Military University of Technology as well. The research results concern the changes of basic lubricants’ parameters, which contain different amount of graphene oxide (or comparatively of hexagonal boron nitride). The results obtained during the tests indicate that graphene oxide could improve lubricating abilities of oils and greases

Flake Graphene as an Innovative Additive to Grease with Improved Tribological Properties

The paper presents the results of research on the use of flake graphene as an additive to plastic grease in order to improve its tribological properties. The influence of concentration (0.25–5.00 wt.%) and the form of graphene (graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide) on selected properties of the base grease were investigated. It has been found that the addition of graphene flakes improves the anti-wear properties of the lubricant. The greatest improvement in the properties of the lubricant was achieved by using graphene at a concentration of 4.00 wt.%; the reduction in the average diameter of the wear scar was almost 70% for GO and RGO, compared to the base lubricant without the addition of graphene

Morphology and Chemical Purity of Water Suspension of Graphene Oxide FLAKES Aged for 14 Months in Ambient Conditions. A Preliminary Study

Graphene and its derivatives have attracted scientists’ interest due to their exceptional properties, making them alluring candidates for multiple applications. However, still little is known about the properties of as-obtained graphene derivatives during long-term storage. The aim of this study was to check whether or not 14 months of storage time impacts graphene oxide flakes’ suspension purity. Complementary micro and nanoscale characterization techniques (SEM, AFM, EDS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and elemental combustion analysis) were implemented for a detailed description of the topography and chemical properties of graphene oxide flakes. The final step was pH evaluation of as-obtained and aged samples. Our findings show that purified flakes sustained their purity over 14 months of storage