6. Graphene and its hybrids with inorganic nanoparticles, polymers and other materials

Abstract

Graphene has emerged as one of today's most exciting materials with many potential applications. Prompted by the results obtained with graphene, there have been investigations of graphene-like materials formed by inorganic layered compounds such as MoS 2 and BN. In this chapter, we briefly present the synthesis and relevant aspects of graphene and inorganic analogues of graphene. Equally importantly, we discuss the synthesis and properties of hybrids of graphene with other nanocarbons, polymers, graphene-like MoS 2 and other inorganic nanoparticles. Some of the hybrids exhibit interesting properties and are promising as useful materials. We end the chapter with a brief discussion of hybrids of graphene with metal organic frameworks. IntroductionGraphene, a single-layer of sp 2 carbon atoms tightly packed in a honeycomb lattice, has generated great interest in the scientific community in the last few years owing to its extraordinary properties and their potential applications [1-2]. It exhibits an ambipolar electric field effect along with ballistic conduction of charge carriers, high carrier mobility, and quantum Hall effect at room temperature [3]. Other novel aspects of graphene include high transparency towards visible light, high elasticity, high thermal conductivity, unusual magnetic properties, high surface area and remarkable gas storage [4]. Though graphene generally refers to a single layer of sp 2 carbon atoms, there have been many important investigations on bi-and few-layered graphenes as well. Interest in the synthesis and chemical modification of graphite-related materials dates back to 1840 [5], but real progress has been made only since 2004. There has been much progress in graphene research focusing on the synthesis, characterization, properties and applications. In this chapter, we present an overview of different synthesizing routes to prepare single-and few-layer graphenes as well as inorganic graphene analogues. We then examine the synthesis of the hybrids of nanocarbons (C 60 /SWNT/graphene) and their applications. Subsequently, we present the mechanical and electrical properties of graphene hybrids, graphene-nanoparticle hybrids, graphene-MoS 2 /WS 2 /SnO 2 hybrids. Finally, we take a glimpse at some of the recent work on graphene-metal organic framework (MOF) hybrids.Brought to you by | University of Michigan Authenticated Download Date | 6/28/15 12:50 PM