Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Application of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Based Aerogels

Abstract

Three-dimensional graphene-based aerogels (3D GAs), combining the intrinsic properties of graphene and 3D porous structure, have attracted increasing research interest in varied fields with potential application. Some related reviews focusing on applications in photoredox catalysis, biomedicine, energy storage, supercapacitor or other single aspect have provided valuable insights into the current status of Gas. However, systematic reviews concentrating on the diverse applications of 3D GAs are still scarce. Herein, we intend to afford a comprehensive summary to the recent progress in the preparation method (template-free and template-directed method) summarized in Preparation Strategies and the application fields (absorbent, anode material, mechanical device, fire-warning material and catalyst) illustrated in Application of 3D GAs with varied morphologies, structures, and properties. Meanwhile, some unsettled issues, existing challenges, and potential opportunities have also been proposed in Future Perspectives to spur further research interest into synthesizing finer 3D GAs and exploring wider and closer practical applications.

Keywords: application; graphene-based aerogels; prospect; synthetic strategy; three-dimensional.

Figure 1

Percentage of aerogels based on chemical component. Data are summarized on the Web of Science from 2010 to May 2020.

Figure 2

Number of publications about GAs in the past almost two decades. Data are summarized on the Web of Science.

Figure 3

(a) Images of the fabrication process of the graphene aerogel using the traditional method, where the GO is reacted with EDA for 24 h at 80 °C and then freeze-dried. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [44]. Copyright 2014, The Royal Society of Chemistry. (b) Images of the fabrication process of the graphene aerogel using the sol-cryo method. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [46]. Copyright 2013, Wiley-VCH.

Figure 4

A schematic illustration of the synthesis of the SGA. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [50]. Copyright 2013, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 5

Schematic illustration of the preparation method for ERGO-based composite materials. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [24]. Copyright 2012, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 6

Schematic diagram for the preparation procedure and mechanism of CGA; (a) GO flakes; (b) metallic-CNT on GO flakes; (c) Fe₃O₄ NPs on the edge of GO flakes; (d) Fe₃O₄ NPs attracted with each other; (e) Fe₃O₄ NPs enhanced the interlaminar connectivity of flakes; (f) the redundant NPs on the pore of CGA. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [58]. Copyright 2019, American Chemical Society. Schematic showing the procedure for the preparation of r-EPGM. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [55]. Copyright 2013, Elsevier Ltd.

Figure 7

(a,b) Refer to the scheme of the preparation and formation mechanism of GEAs, respectively. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [56]. Copyright 2013, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 8

(a) Schematic illustration of the synthesis procedures of the nanoporous graphene foams. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [63]. Copyright 2012, Wiley-VCH. (b) Schematic illustration of the hierarchical synergistic assembly for fabrication of stretchable bCAs through 3D printing (I) followed by freeze-drying (II) and pre-buckled reduction (III). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [31].

Figure 9

SEM images of the (a) surface, (b,c) cross-section of the graphene aerogel showing the porous network structure. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [44]. Copyright 2014, The Royal Society of Chemistry. (d) Absorption process of toluene (stained with Sudan Black B) on water by the aerogel within 5 s. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [46]. Copyright 2013, Wiley-VCH.

Figure 10

(a) Schematic illustration of the possible interaction between aerogel and MG dye; (b,c) images of adsorption properties and magnetic separation of aerogel before and after the MG dye adsorption process. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [59]. Copyright 2019, Elsevier B.V. (d) Adsorption isotherms of r-EPGM, EPGM and AC toward MB at 303 K and pH = 11.5. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [55]. Copyright 2013, Elsevier Ltd. (e) The effect of time on the amount of phosphate adsorbed on the GN-αFeOOH and GN-Fe₃O₄ aerogels. Conditions: phosphate concentration = 20 mg/L; pH = 6.0. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [85]. Copyright 2015, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 11

(a) The proposed self-assembly and wrapping mechanism for 3D graphene/nanoparticles architecture formation during the chemical reduction of GO in aqueous suspension in the presence of nanoparticles. (b) Electrochemical characterizations of a half-cell composed of graphene/Fe₃O₄ and Li: discharge/charge profiles. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [43]. Copyright 2011, Wiley-VCH. (c) Rate performance of the SGA. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [50]. Copyright 2013, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 12

(a) Digital photographs showing the compressibility of aerogels. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [45]. Copyright 2013, Wiley-VCH. (b) Stress–strain curve of CGA at the maximum strain of 30% for 1–200 cycles; (c) stress–strain curve of CGA at different maximum strains of 30, 65, 80, and 95% respectively. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [58]. Copyright 2019, American Chemical Society.

Figure 13

Mechanical stability of bCAs. Storage modulus (red), loss modulus (blue), and damping ratio (yellow) as a function of temperature (a) and frequency (b) of bCAs with 30 wt% MWNTs. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [31].

Figure 14

Experimental circuit and fire-warning mechanism diagram. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [74]. Copyright 2021, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figure 15

(a) SEM image of the AgBr/GAs. (b,c) The photocatalytic oxidative curves of MO and reductive curves of Cr^VI by AgBr/GAs and AgBr under visible light and the absorptive curve of AgBr/GAs in the dark, respectively. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [114]. Copyright 2016, Elsevier Inc.

Figure 16

Schematic diagram for illustrating the photodegradation (I) and photoreduction (II) processes over CNGA under visible light irradiation. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [75]. Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.