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1 * Corresponding author: [email protected]
2 † Corresponding author: [email protected]
3
Graphene-Based Metal and Metal Oxide Nanocomposites
Anupma Thakur1,2, Rishabh Jain1,2, Praveen Kumar3 and Pooja D1,2*
1Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
2Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Sector 30-C, Chandigarh, India
3School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, India
Abstract
Graphene is a promising material of carbon family, with hexagonal structure assembly entailing of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. The distinctive electrical, chemical and optical properties make graphene-based composites accessible in the various applications. Research efforts have been fervent for reconnoitering the essential physics, chemistry and nano-mechanics of graphene. Current progress has shown that the graphene-based composites have a profound impression in the application domain of electronic and optoelectronic devices, gas sensors, chemical sensors, biosensors, nanocomposites and energy storage. This chapter offers a summary of the current research trends on graphene-based metal and metal oxide nanocomposites for various applications. Besides, the synthetic routes of graphene preparation have been discussed. In addition, the synthetic routes of graphene preparation and their thermal properties have been discussed.
Keywords: Carbon materials, graphene, metal oxide nanocomposites, graphenebased composites
3.1 Introduction
Novel materials with distinct characteristic features are ascending and fascinating the scientific community at regular intervals. Amidst, nanomaterials are exclusively enthralling opportunities for scientific developments owing to their unique structures, components and properties. Henceforth, the progress of nanomaterial research necessitates a critical role in the investigation of the biological, chemical and nano-technological research arenas. In this advent of materials, carbon is a solitary element that has entirely stable allotropes, owing to their plentiful exceptional properties ranging from sp3 hybridized diamond to sp2 hybridized graphite, including mechanical properties, thermal and electrical conductivities [1]. Carbon materials exist in all dimensionalities including zero-dimensional (0D) i.e. fullerenes, quantum dots, one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes i.e. CNTs, two-dimensional (2D) i.e. graphene and three-dimensional (3D) i.e. graphite as shown in Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1 Pictorial representation of allotropes of carbon.
Carbon-based materials offer the leeway of coalescing several types of nanomaterials to form nano, micro-composites. In wide-ranging, the usage of carbon-based materials in analytical chemistry is expedient and widely explored. Seeing the above-mentioned characteristics of carbon materials, the comprehensive snapshot of the graphene-based nanomaterials is presented in this chapter for critical evaluation of the fundamentals, characteristics and performance of these nanomaterials.
3.2 Graphene
Graphene is the appellation given to a two-dimensional sheet of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms with exceptionally high crystallinity and electronic property [2]. Lately, the nomenclature ‘‘graphene’’ was acclaimed by the commission of IUPAC as a substitute to the older name ‘‘graphite layers’’, for the reason that graphite is three-dimensionally (3D) stacked carbon structure. It has arisen as a speedily growing wonder material in the field of material science due to its thinnest and the sturdiest structure [3]. Of late, among various allotropes of carbon, ‘graphene’, is the fundamental bedrock of other vital carbon allotropes, including stacked three-dimensional graphite, rolled one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and wrapped zero-dimensional fullerene (C60). In early 2004, it gained its high significance after the studies presented by Geim’s group, who demonstrated the graphene sheets and stated their unparalleled electronic properties [2]. Later, in 2010, Physics Nobel Prize for pioneering research highlighting the two-dimensional material graphene presented by the Royal Swedish Academy to pioneers, namely, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov [4]. So far, no other material syndicates to numerous significant properties, including high electron mobility at room temperature, Hall Effect, transparency, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity, etc. Owing to its stimulating physical and chemical characteristics, it is not astounding that “graphene”, the wonder material, has been extensively reconnoitred amongst research groups to deed its utilities for discrete applications. The progress in research till date, on graphene, is mainly focused on the chemical and physical route of synthesis of pristine graphene, its chemical modification, detailed characterization of its chemical and physical properties and functions, synthesis and characterization of graphene−based polymer composites and metal-oxide nanocomposites. Aiming to exemplify the impression of graphene-based nanomaterials on the development of novel analytical developments and its applications. The characteristic properties and allied applications of graphene are concisely listed in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Characteristics and allied applications of graphene.
| Characteristic property | Merit value | Applications of graphene |
| Thermal conductivity | 5000 w/mK |
Electrical double-layer
|