Title: Converting Hard Graphite Powder into Graphene Nanoflakes via Cryogenic Milling for Highly Stiff Hydrogel Productions

Authors: Fatih Altun, Abdulhammed K. Hamzat, Aditi Shiromani, Waseem S. Khan, Ramazan Asmatulu

DOI:

Abstract: Graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) are a type of nanomaterial known for significant tensile strength and stiffness. They can also be structured to achieve extremely high electrical conductivity while maintaining high chemical resistance. These properties make them ideal as additive materials for enhancing current developments in energy storage, such as nanolayer designs, and in biomedicine, such as drug delivery and wound healing. In this study, graphite rods were cryogenically milled to generate graphene nanoflakes. The nanoflakes were then incorporated into chitosan, a commonly used antibacterial, biodegradable material, to form graphene-chitosan hydrogel composites. The performance of these composites was evaluated against traditional carbon black-chitosan hydrogels using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and swelling ratio analysis. SEM analysis confirmed a significant reduction in particle size and improved dispersion of the GNFs within the chitosan matrix compared with the carbon black aggregates. Swelling tests revealed that the GNF-chitosan hydrogels possessed a significantly higher water absorption capacity. The optimal GNF concentration was identified as 2-4 wt.%, with the 2 wt.% sample achieving a peak swelling ratio of 1023%. These results establish cryogenically milled GNF-enhanced chitosan as a promising advanced material for applications in medicine and energy.

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Conference: SAMPE 2026

Publication Date: 2026/04/27

SKU: 78

Pages: 9

Price: $18.00