Abstract
Carbon in its single entity and various forms has been used in technology and human life for many centuries. Since prehistoric times, carbon-based materials such as graphite, charcoal and carbon black have been used as writing and drawing materials. In the past two and a half decades or so, conjugated carbon nanomaterials, especially carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, activated carbon and graphite have been used as energy materials due to their exclusive properties. Due to their outstanding chemical, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, carbon nanostructures have recently found application in many diverse areas; including drug delivery, electronics, composite materials, sensors, field emission devices, energy storage and conversion, etc. Following the global energy outlook, it is forecasted that the world energy demand will double by 2050. This calls for a new and efficient means to double the energy supply in order to meet the challenges that forge ahead. Carbon nanomaterials are believed to be appropriate and promising (when used as energy materials) to cushion the threat. Consequently, the amazing properties of these materials and greatest potentials towards greener and environment friendly synthesis methods and industrial scale production of carbon nanostructured materials is undoubtedly necessary and can therefore be glimpsed as the focal point of many researchers in science and technology in the 21st century. This is based on the incredible future that lies ahead with these smart carbon-based materials. This review is determined to give a synopsis of new advances towards their synthesis, properties, and some applications as reported in the existing literatures.
Highlights
Carbon is unique and an indispensable element in our world; it is the sixth most common element in the universe and the 4th most common element in the solar system and 17th most common element in the Earth’s crust [1]
It is not an exaggeration to say graphene is one of the most researched, speculated and promising nanomaterials in the past decade. This is based on its exclusive combination of wonderful properties which are inconceivable to normal materials, and this paved the way for itsgraphene exploitation in aprimary large variety of applications
This review has shown how carbon nanomaterials attracted attention of scientists from different walks of life which have drawn remarkable attention from fields ranging from chemistry, materials science and engineering to condensed-matter physics and from both industry and academia
Summary
Carbon is unique and an indispensable element in our world; it is the sixth most common element in the universe and the 4th most common element in the solar system and 17th most common element in the Earth’s crust [1]. This is the reason why materials with exclusive properties Many factors such as superior directionality, high surface area researchers from various scientific backgrounds are very much curious in these materials taking and flexibility make nanostructures suitable for a wide range of applications [12,13,14,15,16,17]. This ability reason why researchers from various scientific backgrounds are very much curious in these opens up many newinto areasconsideration of chemistrythe for nanomaterials including the growth of functional materials taking key role they design, have played in many new advanced nanoparticle arrays forability catalytic applications the selective sequestration of chemicals for drug technologies This opens up many[8,18,19], new areas of chemistry for nanomaterials design, delivery [11,18,20,21,22,23], melting of phase change materials (PCM).
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