Graphene Aerogel
Product Detail
ACS Material Graphene Aerogel — also known as aerographene — is a three-dimensional, ultra-porous network of graphene sheets, self-assembled by a hydrothermal method and freeze-dried into monolithic black cylinders. Graphene aerogels are among the lightest solid materials ever reported: record laboratory samples reach densities around 0.16 mg/cm³ — several times less dense than air itself — and have famously been photographed resting on a single blade of grass.
What makes this material genuinely useful is the combination of an enormous internal surface with an electrically conductive, chemically robust carbon framework. The open pore network readily takes up oils and organic solvents — which is why graphene aerogel is widely studied for absorption and filtration — while the conductive 3D scaffold supports research on lightweight battery electrodes, supercapacitors, sensors and thermal insulation. The monolith is rigid but brittle: it has limited elasticity and should be handled gently.
Key features
- Among the lightest solids — a 3D graphene network so porous that record samples are less dense than air.
- High internal surface — reference specific surface area of ~180 m²/g of accessible pore area.
- Conductive carbon scaffold — an electrically conductive 3D framework for electrode and sensor research.
- Strong oil uptake — hydrophobic, oleophilic pores readily absorb oils and organic solvents.
- Hydrothermal + freeze-dried — self-assembled hydrogel, dried gently to preserve the porous network.
- Pristine & N-doped families — matching Type A/B geometries with 0.2 wt.% nitrogen doping available.
Ultralight and selective — explore it
Two things define graphene aerogel: it is astonishingly light, and its pores are hydrophobic and oleophilic — nonpolar oils wet the carbon walls and are drawn in by capillary action, while water is left behind. Explore both below: see where the material sits on the density scale, then lower a monolith onto an oil slick and watch it take the oil, not the water.
About this interactive: the density scale uses literature values (record graphene aerogels ~0.16 mg/cm³; air 1.29; water 1000; steel 7850) on a logarithmic axis — our monoliths vary piece to piece. The oil-spill scene illustrates selective sorption: oleophilic pores pull the slick in by capillarity while the water is untouched. Quantities shown are schematic, not measured capacities.
Characterizations
| Product | Graphene Aerogel | N-Doped Graphene Aerogel | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Type A | Type B | Type C(Discontinued) | Type A (N-doped) | Type B (N-doped) | Type C (N-doped) |
| Appearance | Black Cylindrical | Black Cylindrical | Black Cylindrical | Black Cylindrical | Black Cylindrical | Black Cylindrical |
| Ave. Size* (cm) H (Height), D (Diameter) | H: ~2.8 D: ~2.7 | H: ~3.0 D: ~5.0 | H: ~5.6 D: ~5.0 | H: ~2.8 D: ~2.7 | H: ~3.0 D: ~5.0 | H: ~5.6 D: ~5.0 |
| Purity | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% |
| N (wt. %) | -- | -- | -- | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
*Note: Each piece is unique, and the information in the table is for reference only. The actual size, density and weight may vary.
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Preparation method
Hydrothermal Method. A graphene-oxide dispersion self-assembles under hydrothermal conditions into a three-dimensional hydrogel, which is then dried by a low-temperature freeze-drying process (drying temperature about 20 °C) that preserves the porous network instead of collapsing it.
Application fields
1) Energy-storage materials — the conductive, open 3D framework is studied as a lightweight scaffold for battery electrode architectures.
2) Sensors — the porous conductive network responds measurably to strain and to its chemical environment.
3) Supercapacitors — the large accessible surface area supports electric double-layer charge storage.
4) Absorption of oil and organic pollutants — the hydrophobic, oleophilic pore network readily takes up oils and organic solvents for spill-cleanup and water-treatment research.
Handling & storage
Handle gently — the monolith has limited elasticity and can break under large external force; avoid compression. Keep processing below ≈120 °C, the temperature at which deformation begins. Every piece is unique — size, density and weight vary from the reference values above. Shelf life is 1 year — plan to use the material promptly after purchase.
Frequently asked questions
1. What temperature is used for drying this product?
The product is dried by a low-temperature freeze-drying method; the drying temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius.
2. What is the processing temperature before deformation occurs?
The processing temperature of Graphene Aerogel before deformation is about 120 degrees Celsius.
3. What is the reference specific surface area of this product?
Because every piece is unique, the specific surface area varies. As a reference, the specific surface area of our Graphene Aerogel is approximately ~180 m²/g.
4. Can this product be milled into powder without compromising the structure?
Milling Graphene Aerogel into powder will compromise its 3D structure. If a powder form suits your work better, we recommend our Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) and Single Layer Graphene.
5. How fragile is this material? Does it break easily?
The product has limited elasticity, so it is fragile and can break under large external force — handle it gently.
Related products
- Same aerogel, nitrogen-doped: N-Doped Graphene Aerogel — the matching Type A/B geometries with 0.2 wt.% nitrogen doping for catalysis and electrode research.
- Prefer a powder? Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) or Single Layer Graphene — dispersible graphene materials for composites and coatings.
- Learn more: our complete graphene properties and structure guide, the Graphene Aerogel – Aerographene category, or the full graphene product series.
Disclaimer: ACS Material LLC believes that the information on our website is accurate and represents the best and most current information available to us. ACS Material makes no representations or warranties either express or implied, regarding the suitability of the material for any purpose or the accuracy of the information listed here. Accordingly, ACS Material will not be responsible for damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information.