Functional Laser-Induced Graphene Composite Art

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a method of generating a foam-like conformal carbon layer of porous graphene on many types of carbon-based surfaces. This electrically conductive material has been shown to be useful in many applications (e.g., environmental technology) and exhibits low fouling and antimicrobial surfaces. Moreover, polymers and concrete composite materials have been made. Since LIG is formed using common engraving or cutting lasers, LIG images on paper products was recently termed "graphene art". Here we show that graphene art generated on polymers can be composited and made functional. Pouring concrete on LIG images obtained on poly(ether sulfone) or polyimide and transferring the LIG onto the set concrete surface by simply peeling off the polymer support resulted in LIG-concrete composite artistic designs. The electrically conductive LIG-concrete composite art was functional and showed antibacterial effects when an electrical potential was applied (i.e., an antimicrobial rate (AR) of 100%-A 5 log reduction). These examples show that artistically designed LIG-concrete composites can be functional by utilizing the electrical and chemical properties of LIG and especially for antibacterial effects, which might be of use for incorporation into structural aspects of hospitals or other buildings where sterile surfaces might provide added protection for immune-compromised patients.