Graphene/polymer composites for energy applications

Graphene has wide potential applications in energy-related systems, mainly because of its unique atom-thick two-dimensional structure, high electrical or thermal conductivity, optical transparency, great mechanical strength, inherent flexibility, and huge specific surface area. For this purpose, graphene materials are frequently blended with polymers to form composites, especially when fabricating flexible devices. Graphene/polymer composites have been explored as electrodes of supercapacitors or lithium ion batteries, counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells, transparent conducting electrodes and active layers of organic solar cells, catalytic electrodes, and polymer electrolyte membranes of fuel cells. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the synthesis and applications of graphene/polymer composites for energy applications. The challenges and prospects in this field have also been discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Nanoarchitectured Graphene‐Based Supercapacitors for Next‐Generation Energy‐Storage Applications

Tremendous development in the field of portable electronics and hybrid electric vehicles has led to urgent and increasing demand in the field of high‐energy storage devices. In recent years, many research efforts have been made for the development of more efficient energy‐storage devices such as supercapacitors, batteries, and fuel cells. In particular, supercapacitors have great potential to meet the demands of both high energy density and power density in many advanced technologies. For the last half decade, graphene has attracted intense research interest for electrical double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) applications. The unique electronic, thermal, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of graphene, along with the intrinsic benefits of a carbon material, make it a promising candidate for supercapacitor applications. This Review focuses on recent research developments in graphene‐based supercapacitors, including doped graphene, activated graphene, graphene/metal oxide composites, graphene/polymer composites, and graphene‐based asymmetric supercapacitors. The challenges and prospects of graphene‐based supercapacitors are also discussed.     

氮掺杂石墨烯的制备及其在化学储能中的研究进展

石墨烯独特的二维空间结构使其具有优异的导电性能、力学性能以及超大的比表面积,被认为是颇具潜力的新型储能材料,是目前储能研究的热点之一。 但是石墨烯易团聚、表面光滑且呈惰性而不利于与其它材料的复合,导致其应用受到限制。 石墨烯掺氮可改变其电子结构,增加表面的活性位,从而提高其应用于储能器件时的电化学性能。 本文综述了近几年氮掺杂石墨烯的制备方法以及其在超级电容器、锂离子电池、锂空电池以及锂硫电池等化学储能领域中的应用,指出了目前氮掺杂石墨烯在制备和储能应用中关注的核心问题,并对氮掺杂石墨烯的发展前景进行了展望。     

A review of transition metal chalcogenide/graphene nanocomposites for energy storage and conversion

Recent advances in the applications of transition metal chalcogenides/graphene (TMC/graphene) nanocomposites in future energy storage and conversion are reviewed. The synthesis processes and structures of TMC/graphene, workingpriciple of evergy energy device, and the electrochemical performances are summarized.     

Recent progress in MXene and graphene based nanocomposites for microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding

There is widespread use of telecommunication and microwave technology in modern society, and raised the electromagnetic interference (EMI) issue to alarming situation due to apprehensive demand and growth of 5G technology undesirably disturbing the human health. The two dimensional (2D) materials including graphene and MXenes are already been used for variety of electronic devices due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, and thermal properties. MXene is composed of metal carbides, in which mainly metals are the building blocks for dielectrics, semiconductors, or semimetals. However, the strong interfaces with electromagnetic waves (EM) are variable from terahertz (THz) to gigahertz (GHz) frequency levels and are widely used in EMI and Microwave absorption (MA) for mobile networks and communication technologies. The use of different organic materials with metal, organic, inorganic fillers, polymers nanocomposite and MXene as a novel material has been studied to address the recent advancement and challenges in the microwave absorption mechanism of 2D materials and their nanocomposites. In this concern, various techniques and materials has been reported for the improvement of shielding effectiveness (SE), and theoretical aspects of EMI shielding performance, as well stability of 2D materials particularly MXene, graphene and its nanocomposites. Consequently, various materials including polymers, conducting polymers, and metal–organic frameworks (MOF) have also been discussed by introducing various strategies for improved MA and control of EMI shieling. Here in this comprehensive review, we summarized the recent developments on material synthesis and fabrication of MXene based nanocomposites for EMI shielding and MA. This research work is a comprehensive review majorly focuses on the fundamentals of EMI/MA.  The recent developments and challenges of the MXene and graphene based various structures with different polymeric composites are described in a broader perspective.     

Layered graphene oxide nanostructures with sandwiched conducting polymers as supercapacitor electrodes

We demonstrate a general approach to the preparation of layered graphene oxide structures with sandwiched conducting polymers of different morphologies. The approach is conceptualized on the basis of the electrostatic interactions between negatively charged graphene oxide sheets and positively charged surfactant micelles. A graphene oxide-polypyrrole composite prepared from this approach exhibited an excellent electrocapacitive performance with a high specific capacitance over 500 F g(-1). Good rate performance and cycle ability were realized by the composite electrode. The simple method described here opens up a generalized route to making a wide range of graphene oxide-based and graphene-based composite materials for applications beyond electrochemical energy storage.     

石墨烯化聚合物:一种兼具电子和离子传输通道的三维富碳高分子能源材料

近年来,用于电化学能源存储和转化的石墨烯材料,得到了研究者们越来越多的关注。但是,这些石墨烯材料不同于严格定义的单原子碳层结构,往往具有孔洞、杂原子和化学官能团等缺陷结构。由于制备方法的不同,缺陷结构各不相同,其电化学性能也表现各异。结构分析表明,这类材料是由类似石墨烯片段的单元与聚合物链共价连接而成,使其具有石墨烯和聚合物的双重特性,我们称之为石墨烯化聚合物。由小分子通过自下而上的方法制备的多孔聚合物,也可以通过进一步热交联等方法,使其形成包含石墨烯片段单元与聚合物链的化学结构。这些材料与石墨烯衍生材料一起组成了石墨烯化聚合物的整个谱系;这个谱系涵盖了由聚合物到石墨烯的过渡区。更重要的是,这类材料特殊的结构与性质,使其成为一种兼具电子和离子传输通道的三维富碳高分子材料,非常适合作为电极材料应用于电化学能源存储和转化,这为我们深入研究储能器件中电极材料的结构与性能的相关关系提供了很好的材料平台。     

层状双金属氢氧化物/石墨烯复合材料及其在电化学能量存储与转换中的应用

高效的电化学能量存储与转换功能材料及其器件近年来受到了人们的广泛关注。层状双金属氢氧化物/石墨烯（LDH/G）复合物就是一类重要的能源材料。它们兼具LDH和石墨烯的优异的物理、化学性能,同时克服了LDH导电性差和石墨烯片易于团聚的问题;在超级电容器和电化学催化分解水等方面具有广泛应用。本文综述了LDH与化学修饰石墨烯（氧化石墨烯,还原氧化石墨烯及其衍生物）的有效复合的方法及其在电化学能量存储与转换领域中的应用,特别是关于基于该类材料的超级电容器及电化学析氧反应催化的研究;对LDH/G复合材料研究领域中的挑战和未来发展方向做了展望。     

Functional nanocomposites for energy storage: chemistry and new horizons

Energy storage devices are one of the hot spots in recent years due to the environmental problems caused by the large consumption of unsustainable energy such as petroleum or coal. Capacitors are a common device for energy storage, especially electrical energy. A variety of types including electrolytic capacitors, mica capacitors, paper capacitors, ceramic capacitors, film capacitors, and non-polarized capacitors have been proposed. Their specific applications depend on their intrinsic properties. Dielectric capacitors have reasonable energy storage density, with current research focusing on the enhancement of energy density and making the materials more flexible as well as lightweight. Improvement strategies are based on the premise that use of two or more different materials (e.g. polymers and ceramics/metals) at an optimal formulation can result in properties that combine the advantages of the precursor materials. Different polymers especially fluoropolymers (e.g. PVDF and PVDF based co-polymer) are the main components in dielectric nanocomposites for capacitors with high energy storage performance. In this article, we have briefly summarized the recent advances in functional polymers nanocomposites for energy storage applications with a primary focus on polymers, surface engineering, functional groups and novel synthesis/manufacturing concepts applied to new materials. The article presents a unique integrated structure and approaches providing key knowledge for the design and development of novel, low-cost, multifunctional next-generation energy storage materials with improved efficiency.     

Graphene-Oxide-Based Fluoro- and Chromo-Genic Materials and Their Applications

Composite materials and their applications constitute a hot field of research nowadays due to the fact that they comprise a combination of the unique properties of each component of which they consist. Very often, they exhibit better performance and properties compared to their combined building blocks. Graphene oxide (GO), as the most widely used derivative of graphene, has attracted widespread attention because of its excellent properties. Abundant oxygen-containing functional groups on GO can provide various reactive sites for chemical modification or functionalization of GO, which in turn can be used to develop novel GO-based composites. This review outlines the most recent advances in the field of novel dyes and pigments encompassing GO as a key ingredient or as an important cofactor. The interactions of graphene with other materials/compounds are highlighted. The special structure and unique properties of GO have a great effect on the performance of fabricated hybrid dyes and pigments by enhancing the color performance of dyes, the anticorrosion properties of pigments, the viscosity and rheology of inks, etc., which further expands the applications of dyes and pigments in dyeing, optical elements, solar-thermal energy storage, sensing, coatings, and microelectronics devices. Finally, challenges in the current development as well as the future prospects of GO-based dyes and pigments are also discussed. This review provides a reference for the further exploration of novel dyes and pigments.     

Conducting polymer composites with graphene for use in chemical sensors and biosensors

This review (with 79 references) summarizes the recent work on the development of chemical sensors and biosensors based on the use of composites made from conducting polymers (CPs) and graphene. Owing to the unique electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical and structural properties of CP and graphene, these kinds of composites have generated increasing interest in senor field. In this review, we first discuss methods for preparation of CP/GE composites by chemical, electrochemical, or physical methods including electrostatic interactions. We then cover aspects of the fabrication of modified electrodes and the performance of respective sensors with electrochemical, electronic or optical signal transduction. We then discuss sensors for the determination of inorganic and organic species, gases and vapors. We also review the state of the art in respective biosensors for hydrogen peroxide and glucose, for oligomers (DNA, RNA, and aptamers), for biogenic amines, NAD^+/NADH, cytochromes and the like, and in immunosensors. Finally, the perspective and current challenges of CP/GE composites for use in (bio)sensors are outlooked.

Green synthesis of graphene nanosheets/ZnO composites and electrochemical properties

A green and facile approach was demonstrated to prepare graphene nanosheets/ZnO (GNS/ZnO) composites for supercapacitor materials. Glucose, as a reducing agent, and exfoliated graphite oxide (GO), as precursor, were used to synthesize GNS, then ZnO directly grew onto conducting graphene nanosheets as electrode materials. The small ZnO particles successfully anchored onto graphene sheets as spacers to keep the neighboring sheets separate. The electrochemical performances of these electrodes were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectrometry and chronopotentiometry. Results showed that the GNS/ZnO composites displayed superior capacitive performance with large capacitance (62.2 F/g), excellent cyclic performance, and maximum power density (8.1 kW/kg) as compared with pure graphene electrodes. Our investigation highlight the importance of anchoring of small ZnO particles on graphene sheets for maximum utilization of electrochemically active ZnO and graphene for energy storage application in supercapacitors.     

Heterogeneous nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage

In order to fulfil the future requirements of electrochemical energy storage, such as high energy density at high power demands, heterogeneous nanostructured materials are currently studied as promising electrode materials due to their synergic properties, which arise from integrating multi-nanocomponents, each tailored to address a different demand (e.g., high energy density, high conductivity, and excellent mechanical stability). In this article, we discuss these heterogeneous nanomaterials based on their structural complexity: zero-dimensional (0-D) (e.g. core-shell nanoparticles), one-dimensional (1-D) (e.g. coaxial nanowires), two-dimensional (2-D) (e.g. graphene based composites), three-dimensional (3-D) (e.g. mesoporous carbon based composites) and the even more complex hierarchical 3-D nanostructured networks. This review tends to focus more on ordered arrays of 1-D heterogeneous nanomaterials due to their unique merits. Examples of different types of structures are listed and their advantages and disadvantages are compared. Finally a future 3-D heterogeneous nanostructure is proposed, which may set a goal toward developing ideal nano-architectured electrodes for future electrochemical energy storage devices.     

Thermo-responsive polymers for thermal regulation in electrochemical energy devices

Thermo-responsive polymers have been widely explored because of their diverse structures and functions in response to temperature stimuli. Great attention has been attracted to exploring and designing such polymers composites, which offer tremendous opportunities to build up a systematic understanding of their structure–function relationships and pave the ways for their extensive applications in electronics, soft robotics, and electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, we review the most recent research of thermal regulation in electrochemical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors) via thermo-responsive polymers. We summarize how battery components (i.e., electrolytes, separators, electrodes, or current collectors) can be coupled with thermo-responsive polymers based on different operation mechanisms, such as volume expansion, polymerization, phase reversion, and de-doping effects, to effectively prevent catastrophic thermal runaway. Different types of thermo-responsive polymers are evaluated to compare their key features and/or limitations. This review is concluded with perspectives of future design strategies towards more effective thermo-responsive polymers for battery thermal regulation.     

Understanding Self-assembly,Colloidal Behavior and Rheological Properties of Graphene Derivatives for High-performance Supercapacitor Fabrication

Graphene derivatives, such as graphene oxide(GO) and reduced graphene oxide(RGO), have been widely used as promising twodimensional nanoscale building blocks due to their fascinating properties, cost-effective production, and good processability. Understanding the intrinsic self-assembling, colloidal, and rheological features of graphene derivatives is of critical importance to establish the formation-structureproperty relationship of graphene-based materials. This article reviews recent progresses in our studies of these interesting properties of graphene derivatives for developing high performance supercapacitors. The content is organized to include characteristics of the dispersions of graphene derivatives, self-assembly of nanosheets from liquid medium, colloidal behavior, rheological properties of the dispersions, processing methods based on the properties, and performance of the fabricated supercapacitors. GO and RGO nanosheets are proved to form different types of assembled structures with unique morphologies, such as ultrathin layer-by-layer films, porous aggregates, and nanoscrolls. The unique rheological properties of GO dispersions and hydrogels, feasible for both the traditional wet-processing and newly-developed technology like three-dimensional printing, are highlighted for their potential in structural manipulation and scalable fabrication of graphene-based devices. The research devoted to up-grading the performance of supercapacitors is presented in some details, which could be applicable for fabricating other graphene-based energy storage devices. Some challenges and perspectives in our point of view are given in the last part of this feature article.     

Conjugated Molecules and Polymers in Secondary Batteries: A Perspective

Intrinsically conducting polymers constituting a subclass of macromolecules, as well as a still growing family of large, conjugated molecules, oligomers, and polymers, have attracted research interest for the recent decades. Closely corresponding to the fascination of these materials, combining typical properties of organic polymers and metallic materials, numerous applications have been suggested, explored, and sometimes transferred into products. In electrochemistry, they have been used in various functions beyond the initially proposed and obvious application as active masses in devices for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. This perspective contribution wraps up basic facts that are necessary to understand the behavior and properties of the oligo and polymers and their behavior in electrochemical cells for energy conversion by electrode reactions and associated energy storage. Representative examples are presented and discussed, and an overview of the state of research and development is provided. Particular attention is paid to stability and related aspects of practical importance. Future trends and perspectives are indicated.     

Graphene‐polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Despite the significant efforts in the synthesis of new polymers, the mechanical properties of polymer matrices can be considered modest in most cases, which limits their application in demanding areas. The isolation of graphene and evaluation of its outstanding properties, such as high thermal conductivity, superior mechanical properties, and high electronic transport, have attracted academic and industrial interest, and opened good perspectives for the integration of graphene as a filler in polymer matrices to form advanced multifunctional composites. Graphene‐based nanomaterials have prompted the development of flexible nanocomposites for emerging applications that require superior mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and chemical performance. These multifunctional nanocomposites may be tailored to synergistically combine the characteristics of both components if proper structural and interfacial organization is achieved. The investigations carried out in this aim have combined graphene with different polymers, leading to a variety of graphene‐based nanocomposites. The extensive research on graphene and its functionalization, as well as polymer graphene composites, aiming at applications in the biomedical field, are reviewed in this paper. An overview of the polymer matrices adequate for the biomedical area and the production techniques of graphene composites is presented. Finally, the applications of such nanocomposites in the biomedical field, particularly in drug delivery, wound healing, and biosensing, are discussed.     

Biodegradable polymer blends and composites: An overview

Biodegradable polymers belong to a family of polymer materials that found applications ranged from medical applications including tissue engineering, wound management, drugs delivery, and orthopedic devices, to packaging and films applications. For broadening their potential applications, biodegradable polymers are modified utilizing several methods such as blending and composites forming, which lead to new materials with unique properties including high performance, low cost, and good processability. This paper reviews the recent information about the morphology of blends consisting of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers and associated mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties of these systems as well as their degradation behavior. In addition, the mechanical performance of composites based on biodegradable polymers is described.     

Metal Phthalocyanine‐Porphyrin‐based Conjugated Microporous Polymer‐derived Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Zn‐Air Batteries

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) as emerging porous materials with diverse structures and tunable building‐units have attracted much attention in the electrochemical field. Herein, we designed phthalocyanine‐porphyrin‐based conjugated microporous polymers as precursors for fabrication of Co, Fe, N tri‐doped graphene composites towards oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR/OER). As expected, the elements cobalt and iron are well dispersed in graphene carbon and interact with the nitrogen sites, thereby providing extra electrocatalytic active sites and enhancing its overall conductivity. Benefiting from its unique design and structure, the obtained catalyst affords a superior bifunctional catalytic activity with a positive onset potential of 0.957 V for ORR, and a low overpotential of 0.36 V for OER. More attractively, the CoFeNG is employed as an air cathode catalyst in Zn‐air batteries, showing a maximum current density of 215 mA cm^?2 and good cycle stability for 20000 s. The rational design of phthalocyanine‐porphyrin‐based derivatives provides a feasible route for the construction of high‐performance ORR/OER catalysts.