Enabling water-based processing of graphene/alumina composites using an infiltration approach with amphiphilic triblock copolymers

Enabling the direct infiltration of freeze-cast graphene structures with water-based ceramic suspensions, otherwise prevented by graphene’s intrinsic hydrophobic behaviour, can lead to production hierarchical graphene/ceramic composites in a cost-effective and replicable manner. In this study, addition triblock copolymer (PF127) formulation alumina slurries was used allow integration reduced oxide (rGO) scaffolds combining freeze-casting, wet chemistry processing Spark Plasma Sintering. Wettability tests were performed optimise composition suspension, leading preservation alignment embedded rGO maintaining channel widths 5–15▒ μ m upon sintering at 1500 ∘ C.