A brief review on graphene oxide Nanoscrolls: Structure, Synthesis, characterization and scope of applications

Abstract

• The GONS exhibit similar properties of GO with enhanced surface characteristics. • The advantages of GONS over GO are briefly discussed. • The recent advancement in fabrication and scrolling mechanisms is highlighted. • The detailed structural and morphological characterization of GONS is provided. • The possible applications based on the characteristics are discussed. The graphene oxide nanoscrolls (GONS) is known to be a nano-morphology of graphene oxide (GO) and belongs to the same class of carbon and related materials. It is a one-dimensional, open-end morphology formed by rolling thin 2D graphene oxide nanosheets in papyrus-like geometry. The GONS exhibits similar properties of GO with more accessible inner wall area, the higher surface to volume ratio, porous structure, defect/ vacancies, aqueous stability, and adjustable inter-planar distance between the layers. Despite these remarkable and unique features of GONS, it is much less studied for its potential applications. It is expected that the fundamental understanding of GONS related to its properties, fabrication process, and detailed characterization would ultimately lead to its utilization in real-world applications. In this work, the recent advancements in fabrication processes, scrolling mechanism, structural and morphological characterization of GONS is critically reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of each fabrication processes are critically analyzed. Recommendations are made to overcome the difficulties during the formation of GONS and its better stability. The potential scope of use of GONS in the field of supercapacitors, gas sensors, catalysis and other applications related to nanotechnology are discussed briefly here. This paper will be much useful to the researchers for gaining in-depth knowledge on the limitations and scopes of various GONS fabrication methods, its characterization and wide ranges of promising applications.