Progress in Research of Graphene Nanocomposite Fibers

Graphene has superior mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Graphene fiber (GF) is an ideal bridge for integrating the excellent properties of graphene nanosheets into advanced, macroscopic, and functional materials for applications. Different fabrication techniques endow GF with different functional applications. For example, high temperature graphitization will greatly reduce the defects of fibers in all scales and achieve high mechanical properties. Through doping with different elements, the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of graphene fibers are dramatically enhanced. The synergistic interfacial interaction of graphene sheets could endow the graphene fibers with excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity at the same time. The GF fabricated through dimensionally confined hydrothermal strategy could be modified to different macroscopic shapes by controlling the shape of the glass capillary. This paper summarizes the significant advances in GFs, including the different preparation and the post-treating processes.