Self‐Assembled Graphene‐Based Architectures and Their Applications

Abstract

Due to unique planar structures and remarkable thermal, electronic, and mechanical properties, chemically modified graphenes (CMGs) such as graphene oxides, reduced graphene oxides, and the related derivatives are recognized as the attractive building blocks for “bottom‐up” nanotechnology, while self‐assembly of CMGs has emerged as one of the most promising approaches to construct advanced functional materials/systems based on graphene. By virtue of a variety of noncovalent forces like hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interaction, metal‐to‐ligand bonds, electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic–hydrophilic interactions, and π–π interactions, the CMGs bearing various functional groups are highly desirable for the assemblies with themselves and a variety of organic and/or inorganic species which can yield various hierarchical nanostructures and macroscopic composites endowed with unique structures, properties, and functions for widespread technological applications such as electronics, optoelectronics, electrocatalysis/photocatalysis, environment, and energy storage and conversion. In this review, significant recent advances concerning the self‐assembly of CMGs are summarized, and the broad applications of self‐assembled graphene‐based materials as well as some future opportunities and challenges in this vibrant area are elucidated.

Plasma Enabled Conformal and Damage Free Encapsulation of Fragile Molecular Matter: from Surface‐Supported to On‐Device Nanostructures

“…One particularly intriguing possibility to deliver such conformal nanocoatings is by combining damage‐free deposition of customized building blocks and their guided self‐assembly on the nanoscale surfaces of different dimensionalities. Indeed, manufacturing new materials through self‐assembly of increasingly complex functional molecules combined with extraordinary features of nanomaterials may lead to paradigm shifts in nanodevice fabrication . One such technological area is nanoelectronics where conducting and semiconducting nanostructures are coupled with state‐of‐the‐art dielectric elements providing electrical insulation .…”

Photoresponsive Actuators Built from Carbon‐Based Soft Materials

“…Since the first experimental discovery of this material in 2004, graphene, a new class of 2D materials with planar honeycomb arrays, has attracted increasing interest in a wide range of technological fields . Due to the unique thermal and mechanical properties of graphene including 1) high optical density in the IR region, 2) excellent thermal conductivity, 3) great mechanical strength with ultralight weight, and 4) negative CTE graphene is a promising candidate for photothermal and photomechanical actuators.…”

Soft Materials Driven by Photothermal Effect and Their Applications

“…While polymers themselves are interesting, recently it has been recognized that their composites often exhibit remarkably superior traits and perform better in certain applications. Accordingly, many varieties of polymer composites have been developed and explored and in the recent years polymer nanocomposites containing CNTs, graphene and graphene derivatives have been paid special attention . It has been noticed that carbon based nanomaterials often enhance the optical, electrical and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites and introduce new capabilities into the hybrid polymer systems.…”