Graphene oxide incorporated functional materials: A review

Abstract

Abstract This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in the preparation, properties and applications of graphene oxide (GO) and GO-based materials. The review shows that GO has been used to create a range of different composite structures and catalyse numerous reactions: GO could be incorporated as a composite filler through different fabrication techniques including melt blending for thermoplastics to enhance desired properties, such as fusing GO with polyethylene terephthalate to increase the electrical conductance from 1 × 10−14 to 2.11 S/m with 3.0 vol% GO content; GO may act as a metal-free catalyst and could catalyse reactions, such as the hydration of alkynes, oxidation of alkenes and alcohols with mild conditions to achieve excellent yields of desired products with simple catalyst recovery. Challenges in the development of GO applications are also presented, including the need for a better understanding of the GO structure, and for high catalyst loading in oxidative reactions and limitations of GO in supporting electrocatalysts due to a high density of defects. The review provides a comprehensive and most useful database for further innovations and understanding of GO-based materials for potential applications.