Graphene derivatives containing covalently bound halogens (graphene halides) represent promising two-dimensional systems having interesting physical and chemical properties. The attachment of halogen atoms to sp(2) carbons changes the hybridization state to sp(3), which has a principal impact on electronic properties and local structure of the material. The fully fluorinated graphene derivative, fluorographene (graphene fluoride, C1F1), is the thinnest insulator and the only stable stoichiometric graphene halide (C1X1). In this review, we discuss structural properties, syntheses, chemistry, stabilities, and electronic properties of fluorographene and other partially fluorinated, chlorinated, and brominated graphenes. Remarkable optical, mechanical, vibrational, thermodynamic, and conductivity properties of graphene halides are also explored as well as the properties of rare structures including multilayered fluorinated graphenes, iodine-doped graphene, and mixed graphene halides. Finally, patterned halogenation is presented as an interesting approach for generating materials with applications in the field of graphene-based electronic devices.

Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic composites HFGO@ZIF-8 have been prepared from highly fluorinated graphene oxide (HFGO) and the nanocrystalline zeolite imidazole framework ZIF-8. The structure-directing and coordination-modulating properties of HFGO allow for the selective nucleation of ZIF-8 nanoparticles at the graphene surface oxygen functionalities. This results in localized nucleation and size-controlled ZIF-8 nanocrystals intercalated in between HFGO layers. The composite microstructure features fluoride groups bonded at the graphene. Self-assembly of a unique micro-mesoporous architecture is achieved, where the micropores originate from ZIF-8 nanocrystals, while the functionalized mesopores arise from randomly organized HFGO layers separated by ZIF-8 nanopillars. The hybrid material displays an exceptional high water contact angle of 162° and low oil contact angle of 0° and thus reveals very high sorption selectivity, fast kinetics, and good absorbencies for nonpolar/polar organic solvents and oils from water. Accordingly, Sponge@HFGO@ZIF-8 composites are successfully utilized for oil-water separation.

The design of advanced high-energy-density supercapacitors requires the design of unique materials that combine hierarchical nanoporous structures with high surface area to facilitate ion transport and excellent electrolyte permeability. Here, shape-controlled 2D nanoporous carbon sheets (NPSs) with graphitic wall structure through the pyrolysis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are developed. As a proof-of-concept application, the obtained NPSs are used as the electrode material for a supercapacitor. The carbon-sheet-based symmetric cell shows an ultrahigh Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-area-normalized capacitance of 21.4 µF cm (233 F g ), exceeding other carbon-based supercapacitors. The addition of potassium iodide as redox-active species in a sulfuric acid (supporting electrolyte) leads to the ground-breaking enhancement in the energy density up to 90 Wh kg , which is higher than commercial aqueous rechargeable batteries, maintaining its superior power density. Thus, the new material provides a double profits strategy such as battery-level energy and capacitor-level power density.

Support with triple function: Au nanoparticles with sizes of less than 7 nm were fabricated in the channels of a mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) support, which acts as a stabilizing, size‐controlling, and reducing agent (see picture; Au NPs in green). The embedded, well‐dispersed Au nanoparticles are a highly active, selective, and recyclable catalyst for the three‐component coupling reaction of benzaldehyde, piperidine, and phenylacetylene for the synthesis of propargylamine.

Layered silicates provide an interesting avenue to novel materials. There has been a growing interest in recent years for the development of functional materials using tailor made clays. This review highlights one such tailor made, water dispersible aminopropyl functionalized magnesium phyllosilicate (aminoclay) of the type R 8 Si 8 Mg 6 O 16 (OH) 4 , (where R ¼ -CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 ) and its multiple applications in catalysis, biology, fuel cells and light-harvesting hybrids.

Highly pure and solution processable white-light-emitting hybrids are presented. These soft-hybrids are designed by an organic-inorganic supramolecular co-assembly in water. White-light emission is achieved by partial energy transfer (ET) between donor and acceptor molecules anchored on the inorganic component. The unique and remarkable processability feature of these hybrids is demonstrated by painting/writing onto large glass and flexible plastic substrates.

We present a new class of fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) prepared hydrothermally from cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Because of the high carbon content, amphiphilicity, and the presence of a heteroaromatic π system, CPC acts as a carbon source, stabilizing agent, and contributing fluorophore in the prepared CDs-based system. The surfactantderived carbon dots exhibit amphiphilicity, tunable blue−green−yellow photoluminescence dependent upon the solvent polarity, reaction conditions, and excitation wavelength, excellent long-term colloidal and photostability, and a large-scale synthesis potential. The reported findings open the doors for the applicability of surfactants as a carbon source for nanosystems with controllable photoluminescence and amphiphilicity.

Light-harvesting hybrids have gained much importance as they are considered as potential mimics for photosynthetic systems. In this Concept article we introduce the design concepts involved in the building up of light-harvesting hybrids; these resemble the well-studied organic-based assemblies for energy transfer. We have structured this article into three parts based on the strategies adopted in the synthesis of hybrid assemblies, as covalent, semicovalent, and noncovalent procedures. Furthermore, the properties and structural features of the hybrids and analogous organic assemblies are compared. We also emphasize the challenges involved in the processability of these hybrid materials for device applications and present our views and results to address this issue through the design of soft-hybrids by a solution-state, noncovalent, self-assembly process.