Functionalized Carbon Nanomaterials Research Articles

Fructose‐Derived Hollow Carbon Nanospheres with Ultrathin and Ordered Mesoporous Shells as Cathodes in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries for Fast Energy Storage

Hollow carbon nanospheres with diameters of ≈300 nm and ultrathin, ordered mesoporous shells (OP‐HCS) are synthesized via the facile dual‐template‐assisted hydrothermal carbonization of eco‐friendly, sustainable, and inexpensive fructose, in which ordered concave nanopore arrays with an average distance of 10–12 nm and a pore diameter of 4.37 nm are integrated into the balloon‐like OP‐HCS particles. Lithium–sulfur batteries with S/OP‐HCS cathodes exhibit high sulfur utilization, excellent rate capabilities, and decent cycling stabilities. The S/OP‐HCS cathode with 71 wt% sulfur demonstrates an excellent discharge capacity of 483 mAh g−1 at the ultrahigh current of 5 C with an overpotential of ≈0.1 V. The cathode also presents an outstanding reversible capacity of 585 mAh g−1 at 2 C over 200 cycles and a prolonged and stable 600‐cycle performance with an average Coulombic efficiency of 97.0% cycle−1 at 1 C. The unique hierarchically ordered porous structure of the OP‐HCS conductive framework provides highly efficient Li+ diffusion and electron transfer, as well as excellent sulfur confinement. Overall, the fundamental understanding of the structural advantages of ordered porous OP‐HCS is expected to inspire the development of new functional carbon nanomaterials for other applications.

Synergistic toughening of polymer nanocomposites by hydrogen-bond assisted three-dimensional network of functionalized graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes

We report a facile method to enhance mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites using three-dimensional (3D) network structures of functionalized graphene oxide (GO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polymer matrix. The GO and MWCNTs were functionalized using Fisher indole and diazonium-salt reactions to produce pyridine (Py) moiety on the GO and MWCNTs. The functionalized GO (Py-RGO) and MWCNT (Py-MWCNT) nanocomposites exhibited hydrogen-bond assisted 3D network structures in a polyimide (PI) matrix. By incorporating 1 wt% of carbon materials (0.9 wt% Py-RGO and 0.1 wt% Py-MWCNTs) in a PI, the tensile strength and modulus of the ternary nanocomposites reached 581 MPa and 31 GPa, respectively, which was an enhancement of 221% and 312% compared with pristine PI. The fracture energy of the PI/Py-RGO/Py-MWCNT nanocomposites improved 200% and approached 29.7 MJ m−3. The formation of the 3D network structure of the functionalized carbon nanomaterials is considered to significantly affect load transfer of nanofillers in the polymer matrix, and produce high performance polymer nanocomposites.

Feasibility of Flame Synthesis of Functional Carbon Nanomaterials Under Microgravity Conditions

Feasibility of Flame Synthesis of Functional Carbon Nanomaterials Under Microgravity Conditions

Functionalization and Dispersion of Carbon Nanomaterials Using an Environmentally Friendly Ultrasonicated Ozonolysis Process

Functionalization of carbon nanomaterials is often a critical step that facilitates their integration into larger material systems and devices. In the as-received form, carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), may contain large agglomerates. Both agglomerates and impurities will diminish the benefits of the unique electrical and mechanical properties offered when CNTs or GNPs are incorporated into polymers or composite material systems. Whilst a variety of methods exist to functionalize carbon nanomaterials and to create stable dispersions, many the processes use harsh chemicals, organic solvents, or surfactants, which are environmentally unfriendly and may increase the processing burden when isolating the nanomaterials for subsequent use. The current research details the use of an alternative, environmentally friendly technique for functionalizing CNTs and GNPs. It produces stable, aqueous dispersions free of harmful chemicals. Both CNTs and GNPs can be added to water at concentrations up to 5 g/L and can be recirculated through a high-powered ultrasonic cell. The simultaneous injection of ozone into the cell progressively oxidizes the carbon nanomaterials, and the combined ultrasonication breaks down agglomerates and immediately exposes fresh material for functionalization. The prepared dispersions are ideally suited for the deposition of thin films onto solid substrates using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). CNTs and GNPs from the aqueous dispersions can be readily used to coat carbon- and glass-reinforcing fibers using EPD for the preparation of hierarchical composite materials.

Functionalization and Dispersion of Carbon Nanomaterials Using an Environmentally Friendly Ultrasonicated Ozonolysis Process.

Functionalization of carbon nanomaterials is often a critical step that facilitates their integration into larger material systems and devices. In the as-received form, carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), may contain large agglomerates. Both agglomerates and impurities will diminish the benefits of the unique electrical and mechanical properties offered when CNTs or GNPs are incorporated into polymers or composite material systems. Whilst a variety of methods exist to functionalize carbon nanomaterials and to create stable dispersions, many the processes use harsh chemicals, organic solvents, or surfactants, which are environmentally unfriendly and may increase the processing burden when isolating the nanomaterials for subsequent use. The current research details the use of an alternative, environmentally friendly technique for functionalizing CNTs and GNPs. It produces stable, aqueous dispersions free of harmful chemicals. Both CNTs and GNPs can be added to water at concentrations up to 5 g/L and can be recirculated through a high-powered ultrasonic cell. The simultaneous injection of ozone into the cell progressively oxidizes the carbon nanomaterials, and the combined ultrasonication breaks down agglomerates and immediately exposes fresh material for functionalization. The prepared dispersions are ideally suited for the deposition of thin films onto solid substrates using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). CNTs and GNPs from the aqueous dispersions can be readily used to coat carbon- and glass-reinforcing fibers using EPD for the preparation of hierarchical composite materials.

Construction of Polyarylenes with Various Structural Features via Bergman Cyclization Polymerization.

Synthetic polymer chemistry is a fundamental part of polymer science, and highly efficient polymerization reactions are essential for the synthesis of high-performance polymers. Development of new synthetic methods for emerging polymer science is of great importance in this regard. Bergman cyclization is a chemical process in which highly reactive aryl diradicals form from enediyne precursors, having a strong impact in a number of fields including pharmaceutics, synthetic chemistry, and materials science. Diradical intermediates stemming from enediynes can cause DNA cleavage under physiological conditions, leading to the strong cytotoxicity of many naturally occurring enediyne antibiotics. Meanwhile, diradical intermediates can quickly couple with each other to construct polyarylenes, providing a novel method to synthesize these conjugated polymers with the advantages of facile and catalyst-free operation, high efficiency, and tailored structure. Moreover, conjugated polymers generated by Bergman cyclization exhibit many remarkable properties, such as excellent thermal stability and good solubility and processability, enabling their further processing into carbon-rich materials. This review presents a brief overview of the trajectory of Bergman cyclization in polymer science, followed by an introduction to research advances, mainly from our group, in developing polymerization methods based on Bergman cyclization, taking advantages of its catalyst-free, byproduct-free, insitu polymerization mechanism to synthesize new polymeric materials with various structures and morphologies. These synthetic strategies include fabrication of rod-like polymers with polyester, dendrimer, and chiral imide side chains, functionalization of carbon nanomaterials by surface-grafting conjugated polymers, formation of nanoparticles by intramolecular collapse of single polymer chains, and construction of carbon nanomembranes on the external and internal surface of inorganic nanomaterials. These polymers with novel structural features have been used in a variety of fields, such as energy transformation, energy storage, catalyst support, and fluorescent detection. Finally, the outlook for future developments of Bergman cyclization in polymer science is presented.

Customized Bio‐functionalization of Nanocomposite Carbon Paste Electrodes for Electrochemical Sensing: A Mini Review

AbstractOver the past few decades, the (bio)functionalization of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as nanohorns, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphite and related with a wide range of (bio)modifiers have been extensively studied for their incorporation on different pure metal or carbon electrode surfaces via drop‐casting. However, CNMs are also shown to be important functional additives for polymers, having great potential to produce rigid nanocomposite materials with a range of enhanced properties, including mechanical, optical, electrical, thermal and electrochemical. The high malleability derived from the host polymer allows alternative strategies that can be carried out in order to incorporate different types of (bio)modifiers in/on/into a polymeric nanocomposite electrode. Accordingly, this mini review overviews the main methodologies used for the bio‐functionalization of electrochemical transducers based on nanocomposite carbon paste electrodes (NC‐CPEs). Additionally, the most extensively (bio)modifiers used in electrochemical (bio)sensing, together with their various electrocatalytical performance are also discussed, fact that might serve as a general outlook for planning further research.

Properties of Elastomeric Composites with Functionalized Carbon Nanomaterial

The influence of two different nanomaterials on the properties of elastomeric composites based on general- and special-purpose rubbers has been investigated. For the elastomeric matrix, we used a combination of synthetic polyisopropene (SKI-3) and stereoregular butadiene (SKD) caoutchoucs in one case and butadiene-nitrile caoutchouc containing 27–30% of bound acrylic acid nitrile (BNKS-28) in the other case. For additives, nanomaterials of two types were used. To determine the degree of interaction of the additives with the elastomeric matrix, complex tests of rubber mixes and vulcanizates based on them were carried out, in which the following indices were determined: the Mooney viscosity, the relaxation and vulcanization characteristics of the mixes, the elastic-strength properties of the vulcanizates before and after thermal ageing, their resistance to thermal ageing, and the mechanical loss tangent.

Degradation and Microbial Uptake of C60 Fullerols in Contrasting Agricultural Soils.

The environmental fate of functionalized carbon nanomaterials (CNM) remains poorly understood. Using 13C-labeled nanomaterial we present the results of a study investigating the mineralization and microbial uptake of surface-functionalized C60 (fullerols) in agricultural soils with contrasting properties. Soil microcosms rapidly mineralized fullerol C, as determined by 13C-content in the respired CO2, with higher fullerol mineralization in an organic, clay-rich soil versus a silty, low C soil (∼56.3% vs ∼30.9% fullerol C mineralized over 65 days). By tracking the enriched 13C from fullerol into microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) we also report, for the first time, the incorporation of nanomaterial-derived C into soil microbial biomass, primarily by fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. While more fullerol C was incorporated into PLFA in the organic C-rich soil (0.77% vs 0.19% of PLFA C), this soil incorporated fullerol C into biomass less efficiently than the silty, low C soil (0.13% and 0.84% of assimilated fullerol C, respectively). These results demonstrate that, in contrast to pristine C60, surface functionalized C60 are unlikely to accumulate in surface soils and are readily mineralized by a range of soil microorganisms.

Flexible Textile Strain Wireless Sensor Functionalized with Hybrid Carbon Nanomaterials Supported ZnO Nanowires with Controlled Aspect Ratio

Smart fabrics and interactive textiles have attracted great interest as a newly emergent material because of their multifunctional capabilities. Herein, a highly robust wireless flexible strain sensor on the basis of commercial textile by the integration of functional hybrid carbon nanomaterials and piezoresistive material is fabricated. Specifically, a solution‐processable spray‐assisted coating approach that enables the creation of a uniform coating over a large area of fabrics is employed. The textile‐based strain sensor exhibits a highly stable and immediate response over a wide range of bending curvatures and structural properties of ZnO nanowires because of their different deflection behaviors. The wearing performance with attaching on commercial fabrics is further demonstrated. The as‐prepared sensor responds well to diverse body motions with accurate detection of strain magnitude and even extends its viability in wireless remote sensing by connecting to a wireless transmitter. The novel approach for the modification of textiles with functional nanomaterials may provide a feasible approach for the production of textile‐based electronics without employing any sophisticated fabrication processes, and it further exploits the diverse functionalities by utilizing various sensing components.

Acridinium Ester-Functionalized Carbon Nanomaterials: General Synthesis Strategy and Outstanding Chemiluminescence.

In this work, three different kinds of acridinium ester (AE)-functionalized carbon nanomaterials, including AE-functionalized carbon nanoparticles (AE-CNPs), AE-functionalized graphene oxide (AE-GO), and AE-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (AE-MCNTs), were synthesized for the first time via a simple, general, and noncovalent strategy. AE molecules were assembled on the surface of carbon nanomaterials by electrostatic interaction, π-π stacking interaction, and amide bond. The synthesized AE-CNPs, AE-GO, and AE-MCNTs with 5.0 × 10(-8) mol·L(-1) of synthetic AE concentration, which was very low compared with other chemiluminescence (CL) reagents such as luminol, N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol), and lucigenin at the concentration of 3.3 × 10(-4) to 5.0 × 10(-6) mol·L(-1) used for the synthesis of CL-functionalized nanomaterials, exhibited outstanding CL activity and good stability. It was found that carbon nanomaterials as nanosized platforms could efficiently immobilize AE molecules and facilitate the formation of OH(•) and O2(•-), leading to strong light emission. Moreover, the CL intensity of AE-GO was the highest, which was about 8.7 and 3.7 times higher than that of AE-CNPs and AE-MCNTs, respectively. This mainly resulted from a difference in the amount of adsorbed AE molecules on the surface of different carbon nanomaterials. Additionally, the prepared AE-CNPs demonstrated excitation-dependent fluorescence property and good fluorescence stability against photobleaching. On the basis of the excellent CL and special fluorescence properties of AE-CNPs, a dual-mode array strategy has been proposed for the first time and seven kinds of transition-metal ions could be successfully discriminated.

Graphitic Carbon Nanocubes Derived from ZIF-8 for Photothermal Therapy.

Graphitic carbon nanocubes (GCNCs) were prepared by pyrolysis of ZIF-8 nanocubes. The GCNCs resemble the structure of N-doped graphite and exhibit a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 40.4%. In vitro tests demonstrate that the GCNCs are highly biocompatible and induce an effective photothermal therapy effect under 808 nm irradiation. Our study provides a facile strategy for preparing functional carbon nanomaterials of prescribed size, morphology, and porous structure for bioapplications.

An Overview of Carbon Nanomaterials in Solid Acid Fuel Cell Electrodes

Micro- and nanometer sized carbon materials play an important role as components in low and intermediate temperature fuel cell electrodes. Vulcan carbon, active carbon, etc. have been used as catalyst substrates and electronic interconnect materials. As such, they reduce agglomeration of nanoparticulate catalyst and thus increase long-term stability. The catalyst utilization can be also increased significantly by improving the geometrical distribution of the catalyst. Recently, the drive towards ever smaller electrode structures has shifted attention towards carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene. Their excellent electronic conductivity, extremely high specific surface area, and relatively good stability makes them suitable candidates as fuel cell electrode components. Both the catalyst distribution and utilization have been successfully improved, lowering costs and bringing the technology closer to market application. Importantly, numerous studies have recently shown functionalized CNTs and graphene, without precious metals, to be an effective catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. Especially nitrogen doped CNTs and graphene flakes show tremendous potential.1 Solid acid fuel cells based on CsH2PO4 as the solid state electrolyte operate at ca. 240°C and are currently performance limited at the cathode. Here, vulcan carbon has been mainly used as an electronic interconnect and catalyst support.2 Recently, carbon nanotubes have been employed, increasing the mass normalized activity of the Pt catalyst up to 61 S/mgPt.3,4 Here we combine the benefits of recent findings and present new fabrication routes based on spraydrying, metal-organic chemical vapor deposition to create highly active, nanostructured composite electrode materials, based on Pt decorated CNTs and graphene. In addition, we evaluate the suitability of surface functionalized carbon nanomaterials as precious metal free catalyst in solid acid fuel cell cathodes. Functionalization includes plasma treatment and electron beam irradiation under controlled atmospheres. Raman and XPS analysis is used before and after electrochemical measurements to evaluate structural and chemical changes. Data from impedance spectroscopy of symmetric electrochemical cells suggest effective electrochemical activity of CNTs and graphene in solid acid fuel cell cathodes. (1) Gong, K.; Du, F.; Xia, Z.; Durstock, M.; Dai, L. Science 2009, 323, 760. (2) Chisholm, C. R. I.; Boysen, D. A.; Papandrew, A. B.; Zecevic, S. K.; Cha, S.; Sasaki, K. A.; Varga, Á.; Giapis, K. P.; Haile, S. M. Interface Magazine 2009, 18, 53. (3) Varga, Á.; Pfohl, M.; Brunelli, N. A.; Schreier, M.; Giapis, K. P.; Haile, S. M. Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP 2013, 15, 15470. (4) Thoi, V. S.; Usiskin, R. E.; Haile, S. M. Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 1570.

Improving Supercapacitor Energy Density via Nanocarbon Electrode Functionalization and Increasing Electrolyte Electrochemical Window

ABSTRACTThe present report is dedicated to a study of possible ways of increasing the energy density of the supercapacitor and thus, bridging the gap between the supercapacitor and the battery. Chemical functionalization of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, activated carbon cloth, and activated carbon powder used as supercapacitor electrodes as well as novel aqueous electrolytes with the electrochemical window of up to 2 V are described. The hybrid approaches to energy storage mechanism in electrochemical energy storage devices are discussed. The first experimental results on the discussed hybrid energy storage devices are presented.

Preparation of Carbon Nanosheets at Room Temperature.

Amphiphilic molecules equipped with a reactive, carbon-rich "oligoyne" segment consisting of conjugated carbon-carbon triple bonds self-assemble into defined aggregates in aqueous media and at the air-water interface. In the aggregated state, the oligoynes can then be carbonized under mild conditions while preserving the morphology and the embedded chemical functionalization. This novel approach provides direct access to functionalized carbon nanomaterials. In this article, we present a synthetic approach that allows us to prepare hexayne carboxylate amphiphiles as carbon-rich siblings of typical fatty acid esters through a series of repeated bromination and Negishi-type cross-coupling reactions. The obtained compounds are designed to self-assemble into monolayers at the air-water interface, and we show how this can be achieved in a Langmuir trough. Thus, compression of the molecules at the air-water interface triggers the film formation and leads to a densely packed layer of the molecules. The complete carbonization of the films at the air-water interface is then accomplished by cross-linking of the hexayne layer at room temperature, using UV irradiation as a mild external stimulus. The changes in the layer during this process can be monitored with the help of infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy and Brewster angle microscopy. Moreover, a transfer of the carbonized films onto solid substrates by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique has enabled us to prove that they were carbon nanosheets with lateral dimensions on the order of centimeters.

Effect of covalent and non-covalent linking on the structure, optical and electrical properties of novel zinc(II) phthalocyanine functionalized carbon nanomaterials

The novel 1-[N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-4-pentynamide]-8(11),15(18),22(25)-tris-{2-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-1-[2-((2-ethoxyethoxy)-ethoxy)methyl]ethyloxy} zinc(II) phthalocyanine was synthesized for the first time. This phthalocyanine has successfully been functionalized, both covalently and non-covalently, with single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Ultraviolet–Visible absorption spectroscopy was used to estimate the energy band gap of the hybrids. The energy band gap was also estimated using cyclic voltammetry and the positions of both the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were determined. Raman spectra for the prepared hybrids indicated that the studied zinc(II) phthalocyanine was attached either covalently or non-covalently to the surface of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Different topographies were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. The electrical conductivities of bare zinc(II) phthalocyanine and its covalently and non-covalently bounded hybrids were also determined and compared.

Solid-state synthesis of self-functional carbon quantum dots for detection of bacteria and tumor cells

We have developed a simple solid-state synthesis procedure to functionalize fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs), using ammonium citrate as a carbon source and appropriate molecules as recognition ligands. Mannose and folic acid were used to modify CQDs to selectively label Escherichia coli (E. coli) and tumor cells, respectively. First, fluorescent-core CQDs (approximate size: 3nm) were synthesized through carbonization of ammonium citrate via dry heating. In the second step, CQDs were heated with mannose and folic acid to prepare mannose-functionalized CQDs (Man–CQDs) and folic acid-functionalized CQDs (FA–CQDs), respectively, through a dehydration reaction in the solid state. Solid-state synthesis of the self-functional CQDs is achievable without a coupling agent. We optimized the labeling efficiencies of self-functional Man–CQD and FA–CQD to cells by controlling the ratio of mannose or folic acid to CQDs, as well as the reaction temperature during synthesis. The solid-state synthesized Man–CQDs and FA–CQDs exhibited excitation-dependent fluorescence with excitation and emission maxima of 365 and 450nm, respectively, and a fluorescence quantum yield of approximately 9%. Man–CQDs can be used for selective labeling of E. coli and detection at concentrations as low as 100 colony forming units mL−1 in real samples (e.g., drinking water, apple juice, urine). Furthermore FA–CQDs are highly selective for labeling of folate receptor-overexpressing tumor cells. The synthesis of self-functional CQDs is simple, cost effective, and easily scaled up, and can be extended to the synthesis of various functional carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, fullerene nanoparticles and carbon nanodiamonds, with different ligands for other biolabeling applications and targeted therapies.

Highly energetic compositions based on functionalized carbon nanomaterials.

In recent years, research in the field of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as fullerenes, expanded graphite (EG), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and graphene oxide (GO), has been widely used in energy storage, electronics, catalysts, and biomaterials, as well as medical applications. Regarding energy storage, one of the most important research directions is the development of CNMs as carriers of energetic components by coating or encapsulation, thus forming safer advanced nanostructures with better performances. Moreover, some CNMs can also be functionalized to become energetic additives. This review article covers updated preparation methods for the aforementioned CNMs, with a more specific orientation towards the use of these nanomaterials in energetic compositions. The effects of these functionalized CNMs on thermal decomposition, ignition, combustion and the reactivity properties of energetic compositions are significant and are discussed in detail. It has been shown that the use of functionalized CNMs in energetic compositions greatly improves their combustion performances, thermal stability and sensitivity. In particular, functionalized fullerenes, CNTs and GO are the most appropriate candidate components in nanothermites, solid propellants and gas generators, due to their superior catalytic properties as well as facile preparation methods.

Reclamation Of Plant Wastes (Straw) And Obtaining (Nano) Chips With Bactericidal Properties Based On Them

Abstract Rape, camelina, wheat and Jerusalem artichoke vegetable wastes (straw) as annually renewable raw materials were processed into activated carbons, which were modified with silver nanoparticles for carbonaceous sorbents to acquire specific properties, since carbonaceous sorbents are usually widely used in the food industry, agriculture, medicine and other fields of human activity. The technology to obtain active carbons from agricultural crop residues has been developed, active carbon physico-chemical and adsorption properties, textural characteristics have been studied, new functional carbon (nano) materials with antibacterial activity containing (nano) particles of silver have been obtained, their influence within (nano) chip composition on rape crop growth, development and yield has been studied. In the conducted field tests, the highest activity was noted when using the (nano) chip whose structure included RAC - camelina and silver nanoparticles. Besides, when nano chips are used for seed treatment, the yield increase makes up 11.6 % for nanoparticles containing Ag, for plant active carbons (PAC) (rape) with Ag this index makes up 28.1 %, for RAC (Camelina) with Ag it makes up 55.8 % (compared to the control variant), which can be explained by the differences in the sorption characteristics of the studied radio activated carbons. Our results and the previous studies of other authors can prove the fact that silver nanoparticles (including those being a part of (nano) chips) “get” into the biochemical processes and have a pronounced phytostimulating effect on plants, which was especially obvious when suppressing the activity of plant pathogenic microflora by silver nanoparticles.

Recent advances of the Bergman cyclization in polymer science

The Bergman cyclization has strongly impacted on a number of fields including pharmaceutics, synthetic chemistry, and material science. The diradical intermediates stemmed from enediynes can not only cause DNA cleavage under physiological conditions but also function as monomer or initiator participants in polymer science. The homo-polymerization of enediynes through the Bergman cyclization to fabricate conjugated polymers is a fascinating strategy due to the advantages of facial operation, high efficiency, tailored structure, and catalyst-free operation. Moreover, conjugated polymers generated through the Bergman cyclization show many remarkable properties, such as excellent thermal stability, good solubility, and processability, which enables these polymers to be further manufactured into carbon-rich materials. Recent times have seen extensive efforts devoted to the application of the Bergman cyclization in polymer science and materials chemistry. A variety of synthetic strategies have been developed to fabricate structurally unique materials via the Bergman cyclization, including the fabrication of rod-like polymers with polyester, dendrimers and chiral imide side chains, functionalization of carbon nanomaterials by surface-grafting conjugated polymers, formation of nanoparticles by intramolecular collapse of single polymer chains, and the construction of carbon nanomembranes with different morphologies. Future developments involving the Bergman cyclization in polymer science, probably by altering the reaction mechanism to precisely control the microstructure of polymeric products, are also proposed in this review article.