Abstract: Integrating scientific research with education and building upon years of practical teaching experience, we designed a comprehensive experiment involving three-dimensional graphene hydrogels and aerogels. Using graphene oxide and sodium ascorbate as reactants, we synthesized three-dimensional network-structured graphene hydrogels through a one-step hydrothermal self-assembly method, subsequently obtaining graphene aerogels via vacuum freeze-drying. The materials’ structure and composition were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and UV-Visible spectrophotometry. We systematically investigated the reduction mechanism of graphene oxide by sodium ascorbate and the hydrogel formation process, while examining how reaction vessels affect hydrogel morphology and macroscopic structure. The study also evaluated the influence of reactant concentration on the load-bearing capacity of both graphene hydrogels and aerogels. This experiment effectively bridges current research frontiers with teaching practice, encompassing material synthesis, structural characterization, and performance evaluation. With clear principles, progressively challenging content, and strong comprehensiveness, it effectively enhances students’ experimental skills, fosters scientific literacy, and develops their problem-solving capabilities through in-depth thinking.

Key words: 3D graphene hydrogels, Hydrothermal self-assembly, Morphology control, Comprehensive experiment, Science-education integration