Polymeric Graphene Bulk Materials with a 3D Cross-Linked Monolithic Graphene Network

Abstract

Although many great potential applications are proposed for graphene, till now none are yet realized as a stellar application. The most challenging issue for such practical applications is to figure out how to prepare graphene bulk materials while maintaining the unique two-dimensional (2D) structure and the many excellent properties of graphene sheets. Herein, such polymeric graphene bulk materials containing three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked networks with graphene sheets as the building unit are reviewed. The theoretical research on various proposed structures of graphene bulk materials is summarized first. Then, the synthesis or fabrication of these graphene materials is described, which comprises mainly two approaches: chemical vapor deposition and cross-linking using graphene oxide directly. Finally, some exotic and exciting potential applications of these graphene bulk materials are presented.

Keywords: cross-linked materials; graphene; networks; synthesis; theory.