Chapter 6 - Graphene hybrids with carbon allotropes

Abstract

Second-generation graphene nanohybrids, along with other carbon allotropes such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and fullerenes, are discussed in this chapter. Covalent and noncovalent chemistry of carbon surfaces are used to produce three-dimensional architectures of nanocarbon allotropes displaying synergetic effects useful for energy storage, catalysis, sensing, and biology. Vertically aligned CNT hybrids show superior properties in energy storage and catalysis due to the larger interlayer separation of the graphene layers (100nm–20µm). Graphene fullerene assemblies lead to electronically coupled graphene/C60 donor–acceptor systems, which are utilized in solar cell devices with about 4% photo-conversion efficiency. We conclude our discussions with the organic chemistry of graphene where highly reactive intermediates are used for the ring activation of graphene. This route opens a new door to the functionalization of graphene without having to employ harsh oxidation conditions. However, scale-up and improved efficiencies of these reactions are anticipated to happen in the near future. A fruitful collaboration between organic and material chemists might catalyze the development of a more attractive chemistry of graphene in the future, which could be used to tune the bulk properties such as optoelectronic nature of graphene with molecular-level precision.