Synthesis of graphene-based nanomaterials and their application in energy-related and environmental-related areas

As a fascinating two-dimensional carbon allotrope, graphene has triggered a 'gold rush' all over scientific research areas especially since the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010. To exploit the prominent properties of graphene-based nanomaterials, two important problems are focused in this review: one is the synthesis of these graphene-based nanomaterials with different kinds of well-defined structures, and the other is the effective application of them as active nanomaterials in functional devices or processes. In this critical review, from the viewpoint of chemistry and materials, we give a brief overview of the recent significant advances in the synthesis of graphene-based nanomaterials and their applications in energy-related areas and environmental pollution remediation areas, including supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, solar cells, adsorption, and degradation of organic/inorganic pollutants from large volumes of aqueous solutions in environmental pollution cleanup. The main challenges and perspectives of the materials for future research are also discussed.