Graphene has attracted tremendous research interest in recent years, owing to its exceptional properties. The scaled-up and reliable production of graphene derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), offers a wide range of possibilities to synthesize graphene-based functional materials for various applications. This critical review presents and discusses the current development of graphene-based composites. After introduction of the synthesis methods for graphene and its derivatives as well as their properties, we focus on the description of various methods to synthesize graphene-based composites, especially those with functional polymers and inorganic nanostructures. Particular emphasis is placed on strategies for the optimization of composite properties. Lastly, the advantages of graphene-based composites in applications such as the Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, photovoltaic devices, photocatalysis, as well as Raman enhancement are described (279 references).

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Graphene-based composites

Graphene based materials: Past, present and future

Graphene, a two-dimensional, single-layer sheet of sp(2) hybridized carbon atoms, has attracted tremendous attention and research interest, owing to its exceptional physical properties, such as high electronic conductivity, good thermal stability, and excellent mechanical strength. Other forms of graphene-related materials, including graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and exfoliated graphite, have been reliably produced in large scale. The promising properties together with the ease of processibility and functionalization make graphene-based materials ideal candidates for incorporation into a variety of functional materials. Importantly, graphene and its derivatives have been explored in a wide range of applications, such as electronic and photonic devices, clean energy, and sensors. In this review, after a general introduction to graphene and its derivatives, the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of graphene-based materials are discussed.

Graphene-Based Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Applications

Supercapacitors have drawn considerable attention in recent years due to their high specific power, long cycle life, and ability to bridge the power/energy gap between conventional capacitors and batteries/fuel cells. Nanostructured electrode materials have demonstrated superior electrochemical properties in producing high-performance supercapacitors. In this review article, we describe the recent progress and advances in designing nanostructured supercapacitor electrode materials based on various dimensions ranging from zero to three. We highlight the effect of nanostructures on the properties of supercapacitors including specific capacitance, rate capability and cycle stability, which may serve as a guideline for the next generation of supercapacitor electrode design.

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Supercapacitor electrode materials: nanostructures from 0 to 3 dimensions

Three-dimensional (3D) N-doped graphene aerogel (N-GA)-supported Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4/N-GAs) as efficient cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are reported. The graphene hybrids exhibit an interconnected macroporous framework of graphene sheets with uniform dispersion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs). In studying the effects of the carbon support on the Fe3O4 NPs for the ORR, we found that Fe3O4/N-GAs show a more positive onset potential, higher cathodic density, lower H2O2 yield, and higher electron transfer number for the ORR in alkaline media than Fe3O4 NPs supported on N-doped carbon black or N-doped graphene sheets, highlighting the importance of the 3D macropores and high specific surface area of the GA support for improving the ORR performance. Furthermore, Fe3O4/N-GAs show better durability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

3D Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Aerogel-Supported Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Na2MoO4 as both etcher for three-dimensional holey graphene hydrogel and pseudo-capacitive feedstock for asymmetric supercapacitors

Dendritic NiS2 nanostructures are successfully synthesized for the first time via the reaction between NiCl2·6H2O and CS2 in poly(MMA-co-EA) gel using γ irradiation.

Synthesis and optical properties of novel nickel disulfide dendritic nanostructures

NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal therapy is a potential tumor therapeutic that has exhibited accurate diagnosis and noninvasive therapy of tumors. Here, we developed an organic macro...

NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy with Amphiphilic Polypeptide Nanoparticles Encapsulating Organic NIR-II Dye

A novel folic acid targeted pH-responsive amphiphilic polymer conjugated with near infrared (NIR) probe has been synthesized by the combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethyl methacrylate (BEMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate (OEGMA), ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxy anhydride (NCA) and click reaction. After assembling to micelles, the polymeric nanoparticles has pH-responsive properties for delivery encapsulated drug into the tumor cell via a rapid process of expansion and subsequent disassembly. Folic acid linked to the amino groups on the branched chains would promote the endocytosis of the polymeric nanoparticles by the cells leading the improvement of the effect of doxorubicin (DOX). In vitro experiments on both MCF7 and HepG2 cells revealed the as-prepared polymer might be a potential candidate for future theranosic against cancer.

Lifeng Yan

Papers

Na2MoO4 as both etcher for three-dimensional holey graphene hydrogel and pseudo-capacitive feedstock for asymmetric supercapacitors

Synthesis and optical properties of novel nickel disulfide dendritic nanostructures

NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy with Amphiphilic Polypeptide Nanoparticles Encapsulating Organic NIR-II Dye

Folic acid targeted pH-responsive amphiphilic polymer nanoparticles conjugated with near infrared fluorescence probe for imaging-guided drug delivery

Amino modified iodinated BODIPY photosensitizer for highly efficient NIR imaging-guided photodynamic therapy with ultralow dose