Solution electrochemical approach to functionalized graphene: History, progress and challenges

Motivated by the successful fabrication of monolayer graphene and demonstration of its unique physical properties and potentials in materials science, immense efforts have been made to find the scalable, controllable and green methods for the production of graphene-based materials. Among them, traditional wet chemical pathway based on chemical oxidation and functionalization was proved to be energy-saving and high-yield but yet not eco-friendly because of the involved strong acid media and hazardous oxidants. As an alternative, electrochemical method for the fabrication of solution-processable functionalized graphene (FG) was highly praised for its environmental benignity. Studied over decades, electrochemical approach is still challenged by the low yield of monolayer FG and the low functionalized degree. In this review, we will introduce the history of researches on electrochemical synthesis of FG, then address recent developments, and finally analyze the problems and potentials of the electrochemical approach through the dissection of fundamental physical process involved. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.