Ricerc@Sapienza

A porous graphene based PVDF aerogel is produced through a cost-effective procedure, for possible application as sweat sensor. The aerogel samples were characterized in terms of porosity, density, morphological and electrical properties through high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and time-monitoring of the sample dc electrical resistance.

The feasibility of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-graphene nanocomposite coatings for radar absorption is investigated. To this purpose, a production process of PVDF coatings filled with graphene nanoplatelets has been developed. All the produced samples were characterized in terms of morphological, electrical and electromagnetic properties. The effective complex dielectric permittivity was measured in Ku-band and the results were used to predict by simulations the reflection coefficient of radar absorbing panels consisting of PVDF-graphene coatings over dielectric substrates.

In this work, novel flexible metal-free polymeric cathode electrodes are developed through a cost-effective procedure for low energy generation applications. For this purpose, a nanocomposite film made of poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) is produced through an easy process, without the use of any chemical or physical doping agent. The fabricated PVDF/GNP nanocomposite films are morphologically and chemically characterized and their applicability as polymeric electrodes is investigated through electrochemical tests.

In this work, we develop graphene-gold electrodes (GGEs) for flexible nanogenerators made of porous piezoelectric PVDF films. The bilayer electrode structure was conceived in order to avoid the short circuit between top and bottom electrodes produced through direct Au sputtering over the film surface. Gold was sputtered over chemical-vapor- deposition (CVD) grown graphene film, that was subsequently transferred onto a PVDF film.

Lightweight composites combining electromagnetic wave absorption and excellent mechanical properties are required in spacecraft and aircraft. A one- dimensional metamaterial absorber consisting of a stack of glass fibre/epoxy layers and graphene nanoplatelets/epoxy films was proposed and fabricated through a facile air-spraying based printing technology and a liquid resin infusion method. The production process allows an optimum dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets, promoting adhesion and mechanical integration of the glass fibre/epoxy layers with the graphene nanoplatelets/epoxy films.

The development of lightweight microwave absorber, operating in a wide range of frequencies, is still a challenging task. A novel broadband lightweight radar absorbing material is developed using a phenolic aramid honeycomb (HC) coated with a graphene-filled polymeric paint, which is made of a colloidal suspension of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) dispersed in a mixture of polyvinyl-alcohol, water, and 1-propanol.

Radar-absorbing structures (RASs) with improved mechanical properties and subwavelength thickness are of particular interest for aerospace applications and electromagnetic (EM) interference control. This article proposes a new RAS, made of a graphene-filled lossy laminate (LL) with impedance adapter, having a total thickness less than 4 mm and a normalized absorption bandwidth of 84% in the frequency range 6-18 GHz.

This paper presents a selection of research topics related to nano-electromagnetic compatibility (nano-EMC) issues in emerging carbon nanoelectronics. Carbon-based nano-interconnect modeling and analysis are first introduced. Then, the key techniques of carbon nanotube-filled through-silicon vias and carbon- based passive devices are discussed.

In this work we developed novel stretchable sensors constituted by a percolating network of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) which has been deposited via spray coating over a polyester fabric and integrated in a biocompatible elastomer. The electromechanical response of the sensors is firstly investigated through quasi-static tensile tests. The measured resistance variation under the applied stress confirms the piezoresistive behavior of the fabricated sensors, having a maximum gauge factor of 90 at strain of 25%.

In our work we investigate the fabrication and properties of ultraviolet-sensing films based on hybrid nanomaterials containing highly conductive graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and DNA as biological UV-sensitive element. Using sonication processes in suitable solvents, the sensor components are assembled into non-covalent complexes which are then embedded in a polymer matrix to improve the film adhesion on several types of space-grade materials and structures.