Graphene composite materials applications

Gold Nanoparticles-Graphene Composites Material Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Application... 

In this chapter, we have discussed the current and earlier research activities related with synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of the Au NPs-graphene composite materials. 

Although there have been great advances in covalent functionalization of fullerenes to obtain surface-modified fullerene derivatives or fullerene polymers, the application of these compounds in composites still remains unexplored, basically because of the low availability of these compounds [132]. However, until now, modified fullerene derivatives have been used to prepare composites with different polymers, including acrylic [133,134] or vinyl polymers [135], polystyrene [136], polyethylene [137], and polyimide [138,139], amongst others. These composite materials have found applications especially in the field of optoelectronics [140] in which the most important applications of the fullerene-polymer composites have been in the field of photovoltaic and optical-limiting materials [141]. The methods to covalently functionalize fullerenes and their application for composites or hybrid materials are very well established and they have set the foundations that later were applied to the covalent functionalization of other carbon nanostructures including CNTs and graphene. 

Chen, K., et ah, Three-dimensional porous graphene-based composite materials electrochemical synthesis and application. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2012. 22(39) ... 

The three-dimensional continuous nanostructured framework has a large specific surface area and favors rapid electron and ion transport in polymer-based electronics. The previously mentioned polymer composites with three kinds of structures can form three-dimensional porous structures when they were stacked. Besides, polymers can be incorporated into porous silica, carbon, and graphene as the retaining frameworks to form three-dimensional structured composites. The resultant composite materials exhibit surface properties of the polymers and high mechanical strength and high electric conductivity of the frameworks, which will provide new possibilities for advanced applications. The structures, such as the cormectivity, pore diameters, and shapes, are mainly decided by the frameworks. 

The most immediate is the application of graphene in composite materials. Conductive plastics at less than one percent of graphene filling have revealed their availability. 

In spite of the research progress still continuing for the development of graphene composites for industrial applications, these materials have already been explored for a range of applications in different fields such as optoelectronic devices (mostly use semiconductor and quantum dots), energy storage (Li-ion batteries, which use transition metal oxides supercapacitors, which use transition metal oxide and polymers fuel cells, which use metal NPs and polymers solar cells, which use metal oxide and polymer), sensors (use metal, oxide and polymer) and biomedical applications (use protein, DNA, polymers, etc.). The details have already been explained in their respective sections in this review chapter. 

Figure 5.25 Sketch of a typical graphene plane in carbon fiber showing vacancy duster defects. Source Reprinted with permission from Fourdeaux A, Perret R, Ruland W, General structural features of carbon fibres. Proceedings of the International Conference on Carbon Fibres, their Composites and Applications, London, Plastics and Polymer Conf Supplement, 57-67,1971. Copyright 1971 Maney Publishing (who administers the copyright on behalf of lOM Communications Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Institute of Materials, Minerals Mining).

Throughout the book, the applicability and multiple roles of techniques—such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy—for studying and aiding the development and characterization of novel electrode and electrolyte materials are discussed. It is recognized that optimization of separators and study of electrochemical phenomena at the ZBB membrane is an important part of the development process, such as novel graphene oxide-Nafion composite materials [79]. However, this aspect is left for another review focusing on membrane technology for RFB applications. 

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