Graphene-based electrochemical energy conversion and storage: fuel cells, supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Graphene has attracted extensive research interest due to its strictly 2-dimensional (2D) structure, which results in its unique electronic, thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties and potential technical applications. These remarkable characteristics of graphene, along with the inherent benefits of a carbon material, make it a promising candidate for application in electrochemical energy devices. This article reviews the methods of graphene preparation, introduces the unique electrochemical behavior of graphene, and summarizes the recent research and development on graphene-based fuel cells, supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries. In addition, promising areas are identified for the future development of graphene-based materials in electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems.

One-Step Synthesis of Graphene/Polypyrrole Nanofiber Composites as Cathode Material for a Biocompatible Zinc/Polymer Battery

“…This phenomenon can be ascribed to the synergic effect between the graphene plane and the polypyrrole fibre. The graphene plane provides fast electron transportation channels, which accelerate the ion exchange process in the polypyrrole by providing more free electrons 47 . In PBS electrolyte, the PPy fibre displays two broad oxidation peaks at -0.43 V and -0.08 V, and two reduction peaks at -0.58 V and -0.14 V. These peaks are all shifted slightly to the negative potential for PPy/RGO composite, as labelled in Figure 8(a).…”

Direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin on graphene/Fe3O4 nanocomposite-modified glass carbon electrode and its sensitive detection for hydrogen peroxide

“…Based on these properties, GE has shown great potential applications in electronic devices [2], energy conversion and storage [3], and biosensors [4]. However, GE is limited to designing biosensors for its hydrophobicity and agglomerate in water [5,6].…”

An Oxygen Reduction Study of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials of Different Origin

“…0.34 nm, where the carbon atoms are densely packed forming a hexagonal pattern of graphene nanosheet revealing a basal plane surface without defects and any surfactants or impurities. However, a wide variety of oxygen-containing functionalities and some carbon vacancies may exist in the produced graphene (e.g., chemically reduced graphene oxide) [9,15] suggesting the presence of mixture of edge sites and basal plane on the graphene surface. In the literature, there are a variety of methods to produce graphene [9,16,17].…”

“…However, a wide variety of oxygen-containing functionalities and some carbon vacancies may exist in the produced graphene (e.g., chemically reduced graphene oxide) [9,15] suggesting the presence of mixture of edge sites and basal plane on the graphene surface. In the literature, there are a variety of methods to produce graphene [9,16,17]. For example, a true monolayer graphene can be exfoliated from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite using the Scotch tape method as was first reported by Novoselov et al [1].…”

“…1 TPa) [2][3][4][5][6], scientists have extensively used graphene for fundamental investigations, including the fields of electroanalysis and electrocatalysis. In addition, graphene has been considered as a promising support material in industrial applications including but not limited to (bio)sensors, solar cells, batteries and fuel cells [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. In an ideal way, graphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon with an atomic thickness of ca.…”