Ultra-high-performance graphene-based bulk materials strengthened by Y-type connection structure

The strategic design and assembly of bulk graphene materials represent a pivotal advancement for harnessing the inherent properties of graphene in practical applications. However, fabricating high-strength graphene-based bulk materials from graphene powders presents a significant challenge, primarily due to interlayer slippage between the graphene layers. Here, a unique Y-type connection structure was found in few-layer graphene synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and subsequently retained in graphene-based bulk materials prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. The Y-type connection structure and defect-induced linkages serve to cross-link the graphene-based bulk materials. Consequently, the bulk material exhibited an ultra-high compressive strength, reaching 2.14 GPa, supported by Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations which demonstrated that the Y-type connection structure increases the shear modulus and the load transfer rate. The Y-type connection structure plays a vital role in reinforcing the strength of graphene-based bulk materials, offering valuable insights for the microstructural design and property augmentation of other graphene-derived materials. Besides it’s ultra-high compressive strength, the graphene-based bulk material also performs a low thermal expansion coefficient (0.5 × 10−6 K−1), high electrical conductivity (1.47 × 105 S·m−1) and exceptional EMI shielding capability.