High-performance 3D printed graphene composites developed for efficient ice control
FDM 3D printed G-TPU/N-TPU double layer structure and its anisotropic thermal conductivity. Credit: xi min
The research team, led by Professor Wang Zhenyang of the Institute of Physical Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed a new 3D printed graphene/polymer double layer composite with high anisotropic thermal conductivity.
Breakthroughs provide improved photothermal and electrical performance for advanced ice control applications. This study was published in the Carbon and The Chemical Engineering Journal.
Graphene is known for its excellent thermal conductivity, particularly for its strong anisotropy, i.e. high in-plane conductivity and much lower conductivity.
To exploit this property, researchers employed dual nozzle fusion deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing to orientedly align the graphene within a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. The resulting double layer composite consisting of graphene-reinforced TPU (G-TPU) and neat TPU (N-TPU) achieved an in-plane thermal conductivity of 4.54 W/(M・K) with an anisotropy ratio of about 8.
Further performance improvements have been achieved through laser-guided surface engineering. Laser treatment preserved the graphene alignment, exposed the conductive network, created a carbonized TPU layer, and improved anisotropy in both thermal and electrical.
The anisotropic thermal conductivity increased to 9.1, and the anisotropic electrical resistance ratio improved by several orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the laser treated surfaces showed improved hydrophobicity and light absorption, increasing photothermal conversion efficiency.
According to the team, the work will provide a scalable strategy for manufacturing high-performance materials for anti-ice systems.
Details: Zihao Kang et al, anisotropic thermal conductivity of 3D printed graphene strengthened the thermoplastic polyurethane structure towards photothermal conversion, carbon (2025). doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2025.120023
Zihao Kang et al, Thermoplastic polyurethane structure for improvement of laser-induced 3D printed graphene-enhanced thermal fluctuation polyurethane structure, photo/electrical removal performance, Journal of Chemical Engineering (2025). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2025.162399
Provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Quote: High-performance 3D printed graphene composites developed for efficient ice control (April 23, 2025) April 24, 2025 https://phys.org/news/2025-04-3d-graphene-composites-efficient.html
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