1‐Aza‐15‐Crown‐5 Functionalized Graphene Oxide for 2D Graphene‐Based Li+‐ion Conductor

Attachment of Li⁺ ion on graphene surface to realize Li⁺‐ion conductor is a real challenge because of the weak interaction between the ions and the functional groups of graphene oxide; although, a large number of theoretical results are already available in the literature. To overcome this problem, graphene oxide is functionalized by 1‐aza‐15‐crown‐5, the cage‐like structure containing four oxygens that can bind Li⁺ ion through electrostatic interaction. Li⁺ migration on graphene surface has been investigated using ac relaxation mechanism. Perfect Debye‐type relaxation behavior with β (relaxation exponent) value ≈1 resulting from single ion is observed. The activation energy of Li⁺ migration arising due to cation‐π interaction is found to be 0.37 eV, which agrees well with recently reported theoretical value. It is believed that this study will help to design isolated ion conductors for Li⁺‐ion battery.     

Synthesis and Superior Optical‐Limiting Properties of Fluorene‐Thiophene‐Benzothiadazole Polymer‐Functionalized Graphene Sheets

A polymer based on fluorene, thiophene, and benzothiadazole as the donor–spacer–acceptor triad is covalently coupled to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets via diazonium coupling with phenyl bromide, followed by Suzuki coupling. These polymer–graphene hybrids show good solubility in organic solvents, such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, dichlorobenzene, and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), and exhibit an excellent optical‐limiting effect with a 532‐nm laser beam. The optical‐limiting threshold energy values (0.93 J cm^?2 for G–polymer 1 and 1.12 J cm^?2 for G–polymer 2) of these G–polymer hybrids are better than that of carbon nanotubes (3.6 J cm^?2).     

Graphene‐Based Electrodes

Graphene, the thinnest two dimensional carbon material, has become the subject of intensive investigation in various research fields because of its remarkable electronic, mechanical, optical and thermal properties. Graphene‐based electrodes, fabricated from mechanically cleaved graphene, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown graphene, or massively produced graphene derivatives from bulk graphite, have been applied in a broad range of applications, such as in light emitting diodes, touch screens, field‐effect transistors, solar cells, supercapacitors, batteries, and sensors. In this Review, after a short introduction to the properties and synthetic methods of graphene and its derivatives, we will discuss the importance of graphene‐based electrodes, their fabrication techniques, and application areas.     

Recent Progress in Graphene‐Based Noble‐Metal Nanocomposites for Electrocatalytic Applications

The fast industrialization process has led to global challenges in the energy crisis and environmental pollution, which might be solved with clean and renewable energy. Highly efficient electrochemical systems for clean‐energy collection require high‐performance electrocatalysts, including Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, etc. Graphene, a single‐layer 2D carbon nanosheet, possesses many intriguing properties, and has attracted tremendous research attention. Specifically, graphene and graphene derivatives have been utilized as templates for the synthesis of various noble‐metal nanocomposites, showing excellent performance in electrocatalytic‐energy‐conversion applications, such as the hydrogen evolution reaction and CO₂ reduction. Herein, the recent progress in graphene‐based noble‐metal nanocomposites is summarized, focusing on their synthetic methods and electrocatalytic applications. Furthermore, some personal insights on the challenges and possible future work in this research field are proposed.     

Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived Bamboo‐like Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Tubes as an Active Matrix for Hybrid Oxygen‐Reduction Electrocatalysts

In this work, large size (i.e., diameter > 100 nm) graphene tubes with nitrogen‐doping are prepared through a high‐temperature graphitization process of dicyandiamide (DCDA) and Iron(II) acetate templated by a novel metal–organic framework (MIL‐100(Fe)). The nitrogen‐doped graphene tube (N‐GT)‐rich iron‐nitrogen‐carbon (Fe‐N‐C) catalysts exhibit inherently high activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in more challenging acidic media. Furthermore, aiming to improve the activity and stability of conventional Pt catalysts, the ORR active N‐GT is used as a matrix to disperse Pt nanoparticles in order to build a unique hybrid Pt cathode catalyst. This is the first demonstration of the integration of a highly active Fe‐N‐C catalyst with Pt nanoparticles. The synthesized 20% Pt/N‐GT composite catalysts demonstrate significantly enhanced ORR activity and H₂‐air fuel cell performance relative to those of 20% Pt/C, which is mainly attributed to the intrinsically active N‐GT matrix along with possible synergistic effects between the non‐precious metal active sites and the Pt nanoparticles. Unlike traditional Pt/C, the hybrid catalysts exhibit excellent stability during the accelerated durability testing, likely due to the unique highly graphitized graphene tube morphologies, capable of providing strong interaction with Pt nanoparticles and then preventing their agglomeration.     

Prospects of Supercritical Fluids in Realizing Graphene‐Based Functional Materials

Supercritical‐fluids science and technology predate all the approaches that are currently established for graphene production by several decades in advanced materials design. However, it has only recently been proposed as a plausible approach for graphene processing. Since then, supercritical fluids have emerged into contention as an alternative to existing technologies because of their scalability and versatility in processing graphene materials, which include composites, aerogels, and foams. Here, an overview is presented of such materials prepared through supercritical fluids from an advanced materials science standpoint, with a discussion on their fundamental properties and technological applications. The benefits of supercritical‐fluid processing over conventional liquid‐phase processing are presented. The benefits include not only better performances for advanced applications but also environmental issues associated with the synthesis process. Nevertheless, the limitations of supercritical‐fluid processing are also stressed, along with challenges that are still faced toward the achievement of the great expectations from graphene materials.