Beyond graphene: materials chemistry toward high performance inorganic functional materials

Abstract

Much progress about graphene has been made in the fields of physics, chemistry, material science, and electronics. Graphene's properties are mainly dependent on its geometric structures and synthesis methods. Various newly developed chemical methods have been designed to tailor graphene materials with specific functionalities, such as crystallization routes, which can be a new direction in graphene R&D. In this review, we focus on recent developments in the synthesis of graphene materials with specific structures and electrochemical performances by top-down routes. First, ice crystallization from water molecules within graphene oxide is discussed to form 3D graphene oxide aerogel and graphene aerogel with porous networks. Then we review an in situ electrochemical crystallization route to fabricate graphene/metal oxide aerogel electrode materials. The electrochemical properties of different structural graphene types are discussed as lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. Future challenges and current progress beyond graphene as an energy storage material have been highlighted.