Recent Progress of Vertical Graphene: Preparation, Structure Engineering, and Emerging Energy Applications

Vertical graphene (VG) nanosheets have garnered significant attention in the field of electrochemical energy applications, such as supercapacitors, electro-catalysis, and metal-ion batteries. The distinctive structures of VG, including vertically oriented morphology, exposed, and extended edges, and separated few-layer graphene nanosheets, have endowed VG with superior electrode reaction kinetics and mass/electron transportation compared to other graphene-based nanostructures. Therefore, gaining insight into the structure-activity relationship of VG and VG-based materials is crucial for enhancing device performance and expanding their applications in the energy field. In this review, the authors first summarize the fabrication methods of VG structures, including solution-based, and vacuum-based techniques. The study then focuses on structural modulations through plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to tailor defects and morphology, aiming to obtain desirable architectures. Additionally, a comprehensive overview of the applications of VG and VG-based hybrids d in the energy field is provided, considering the arrangement and optimization of their structures. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of VG-based energy-related applications are discussed. Vertical graphene possesses unique structures that are appealing for energy applications. Defect and morphology structure can tailor reaction kinetics and mass/electron transportation in VG materials, which in turn, affects their electrochemical performance. Herein, recent advances of VG are summarized in terms of synthesis routine, regulation strategies, and applications in the energy field. Finally, the challenges and prospects of VG materials in energy field are discussed.image

Automated summary

Vertical graphene (VG) possesses unique structures that make it suitable for energy applications. By modulating the defects and morphology, the reaction kinetics and mass/electron transportation in VG materials can be improved, thus affecting their electrochemical performance. This review summarizes recent advances in VG synthesis, regulation strategies, and applications in the energy field, and discusses the challenges and prospects of VG materials in the energy field.