A recent study conducted by researchers at Rice University delves into the intricate dynamics of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials in liquid, offering insights that may pave the way for the larger-scale production of materials with similar advantageous properties as their 2D counterparts. These ultrathin, sheet-shaped materials exhibit unique traits, such as high tensile strength and resistance to extreme conditions, making them promising for various applications, including films and fibers.
Led by Utana Umezaki, a Rice graduate student, the research focuses on understanding the behavior of 2D materials, particularly graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, in solution phase. The alignment of these materials is crucial to preserving their special properties when scaled up to bulk forms like films and fibers.
The team employed a fluorescent surfactant, or glowing soap, to label nanomaterial samples, enabling the visualization of their motion. Through videos capturing this motion, the researchers could track the trajectories of the samples and establish a correlation between their size and movement. The observations revealed a notable trend in the speed of movement relative to size, leading to the development of a mathematical equation predicting their motion.
Graphene exhibited slower movement in the liquid solution, attributed to its thinner and more flexible layers compared to hexagonal boron nitride, resulting in increased friction. The derived formula from this experiment could potentially be applied to describe the movement of other 2D materials in similar conditions.
This study, one of the first to explore the hydrodynamics of 2D nanosheet materials, addresses a gap in the field and holds significance for overcoming challenges in the fabrication of 2D materials. The ultimate goal is to comprehend the assembly and behavior of these materials in confined environments, laying the groundwork for the generation of macroscopic materials.
Anatoly Kolomeisky and Matteo Pasquali, professors at Rice University, are corresponding authors of the study, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in 2D nanomaterial dynamics and their potential applications on a larger scale.
