Researchers at the University of Arkansas have demonstrated a simple and scalable method for turning graphene oxide into a non-flammable and paper-like graphene membrane that can be used in large-scale production. This tackles the issue of high flammability, which has, according to the team, been an obstacle to further development and commercialization.

Using metal ions with three or more positive charges, the researchers bonded graphene-oxide flakes into a transparent membrane. This new form of material is flexible, nontoxic and mechanically strong, in addition to being non-flammable. Further testing of the material suggested that crosslinking, or bonding, using transition metals and rare-earth metals, caused the graphene oxide to possess new semiconducting, magnetic and optical properties.

Graphene membranes are an exciting field of research which will hopefully have applications in various area. Earlier this month, Scientists at The University of Manchester have made a breakthrough in the field of graphene oxide membranes for water desalination. In March 2017, Grafoid announced the development of its GPURE Graphene Polymer nano-porous membrane intended for next generation Li-Ion battery applications.

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