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

A new dual-state emission (DSE) dye comprised of tetraphenylethene (TPE), triphenylamine (TPA), and indoline groups has been synthesized, which showed efficient fluorescence in both solution and solid. The dye is comprised of three parts and these parts show different fluorescence properties which can be very useful in some applications since the dye can produce information-rich responses. For example, the dye is pH-sensitive in both solution and solid states, and it emits yellow fluorescence in normal pH and red/NIR fluorescence in acidic condition. Cytotoxicity of the dye is low at concentration of 3 μM which was confirmed by a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) experiment, and in vitro experiments revealed that the pH responsive performance can be used in bioimaging. It provides a novel pH-sensitive DSE dye ever reported, which has potential application in many fields.

Lifeng Yan

Papers

pH-Responsive dye with dual-state emission in both visible and near infrared regions

Electrochemical exfoliation for few-layer graphene in molybdate aqueous solution and its application for fast electrothermal film

The 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (ogg1) decreases the vulnerability of the developing brain to DNA damage

pH-Triggered Disaggregation-Induced Emission (DIE) probe for sensoring minor-pH changes in near infrared fluorescence region.

Reduction-sensitive polypeptide nanogel conjugated BODIPY-Br for NIR imaging-guided chem/photodynamic therapy at low light and drug dose.