Direct-Chemical Vapor Deposition-Enabled Graphene for Emerging Energy Storage: Versatility, Essentiality, and Possibility

Abstract

The direct chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique has stimulated an enormous scientific and industrial interest to enable the conformal growth of graphene over multifarious substrates, which readily bypasses tedious transfer procedure and empowers innovative materials paradigm. Compared to the prevailing graphene materials (i.e., reduced graphene oxide and liquid-phase exfoliated graphene), the direct-CVD-enabled graphene harnesses appealing structural advantages and physicochemical properties, accordingly playing a pivotal role in the realm of electrochemical energy storage. Despite conspicuous progress achieved in this frontier, a comprehensive overview is still lacking by far and the synthesis-structure-property-application nexus of direct-CVD-enabled graphene remains elusive. In this topical review, rather than simply compiling the state-of-the-art advancements, the versatile roles of direct-CVD-enabled graphene are itemized as (i) modificator, (ii) cultivator, (iii) defender, and (iv) decider. Furthermore, essential effects on the performance optimization are elucidated, with an emphasis on fundamental properties and underlying mechanisms. At the end, perspectives with respect to the material production and device fabrication are sketched, aiming to navigate the future development of direct-CVD-enabled graphene en-route toward pragmatic energy applications and beyond.

Kinetically Favorable Li–S Battery Electrolytes

“…As a consequence, Li–S batteries usually suffer from considerable reaction polarization, mediocre rate capability, and rapid capacity decay. To this end, a myriad of approaches to elevate the kinetics of sulfur redox reactions have been proposed, with the aim to boost the actual performance of Li–S batteries. − …”

A review in rational design of graphene toward advanced Li–S batteries

“…A typical hydrothermal process followed by a thermal annealing process was used to synthesize the heteroatom-doped holey Gr Generally, the synthetic strategy of doped-Gr material relies upon the wet chemistry routes, which gives rise to the low crystal quality and poor regulation of doping level. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has become an appealing approach to date for growing Gr with high controllability and uniformity [39,[56][57][58]. The CVD synthesis of graphene normally goes through nucleation, growth, and coalescence processes, finally leading to continuous film formation.…”

“…In comparison with the conventional 2D Gr films, 3D Gr materials (e.g., foams, shells, and hierarchical structures) with controllable porous structure, high specific surface area, fast electron transport, and low density are expected to be served as a more ideal candidate for constructing high-performance Li-S batteries [29,42,57,87]. The 3D porous structure can encapsulate part of the electrochemically generated soluble LiPSs, which is also able to accommodate active sulfur loading and suppress large volume expansion.…”

Experimental and Theoretical Indagation of Binder-Free N-Graphene Coupling Vanadium Tetrasulfide Aerogel Cathode for Promoting Aqueous Zn-Ion Storage

“…Nevertheless, in view of the existence of π−π interactions and strong van der Waals working force in the graphene nanolayers, their aggregation and restack occurred frequently, resulting in the inheritance of a graphite nature. 22,23 This is unfavorable for the utilization of graphene on high-performance energy storage systems.…”

“…Accordingly, efficient reliable routes including construction of a micro/nano-structure and introduction of carbonaceous materials with excellent mechanical and conductive properties have been taken to deal with the aforementioned drawbacks. ,, At present, several carbonaceous materials have been used to compound with VC micro/nano materials to meliorate their energy storage performance. ,, Among them, graphene has drawn considerable concerns thanks to its distinct physicochemical properties. Nevertheless, in view of the existence of π–π interactions and strong van der Waals working force in the graphene nanolayers, their aggregation and restack occurred frequently, resulting in the inheritance of a graphite nature. , This is unfavorable for the utilization of graphene on high-performance energy storage systems.…”