Flexible electrodes, particularly paper electrodes modified with polypyrrole, have shown promise in energy-related applications. We have earlier demonstrated the usage of paper electrodes modified with polypyrrole as a flexible and suitable photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC). Further, modification of this electrode system with an appropriate tandem absorber system for solar fuel production is interesting in developing efficient photoanodes. In this study, we study the PEC performance of flexible polypyrrole-based paper photoanodes (PPy-PAs) by decorating them with rGO@Cu2Zn- SnS4 chalcopyrites (rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs). The lower bandgap (~ 1.5 eV) of the rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs system allows for efficient visible light absorption, substantially improving PEC water-splitting reactions. The rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs exhibited an enhanced current density of ~ 13.2 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, ABPE of ~ 1.5%, and a hydrogen evolution rate of 177 μmoles/min/cm2. Overall, rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs showed 2.1-fold, 1.1-fold, and 1.4-fold enhancement in photocurrent activity over PPy-PAs, CZTS/PPy-PAs, and rGO/PPy-PAs, respectively. The usability of rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs is established in the form of stable photocurrent for more than 200 min. These findings open new possibilities for developing modified PPy PAs as flexible PEs for efficient solar-driven PEC devices and give directions on improving flexible PEs for flexible and efficient solar-driven PEC systems.

CO2 photocatalytic reduction is a carbon–neutral renewable energy technology. However, this technology is restricted by the low utilization of photocatalytic electrons. Therefore, to improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and enhance the performance of CO2 photocatalytic reduction. In this paper, g-C3N4/Pd composite with Schottky junction was synthesized by using g-C3N4, a two-dimensional material with unique interfacial effect, as the substrate material in combination with the co-catalyst Pd. The composite of Pd and g-C3N4 was tested to have a strong localized surface plasmon resonance effect (LSPR), which decreased the reaction barriers and improved the electron utilization. The combination of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) created a π–π conjugation effect at the g-C3N4 interface, which shortened the electron migration path and further improved the thermal electron transfer and utilization efficiency. The results show that the g-C3N4/ rGO/Pd (CRP) exhibits the best performance for photocatalytic reduction of CO2, with the yields of 13.57 μmol g− 1 and 2.73 μmol g− 1 for CO and CH4, respectively. Using the in situ infrared test to elucidate the intermediates and the mechanism of g-C3N4/rGO/Pd (CRP) photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This paper provides a new insight into the interface design of photocatalytic materials and the application of co-catalysts.

The presence of tetracycline (TC) has been detected in the human living environment, and its complex structure makes it difficult to degrade. The green and efficient utilization of electroactivated persulfate advanced oxidation technology for the degradation of tetracycline remains a challenge. In this study, N-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) was prepared using a hydrothermal treatment method with urea as the nitrogen source. Four different mass ratios of graphene oxide (GO) to urea were synthesized, and the optimal mass ratio was determined through degradation experiments of tetracycline. The N-rGO/EC/PMS three-dimensional electrocatalytic system was constructed, and the influence of the experimental data on TC degradation, such as initial pH, PMS dosage and voltage, was determined. Characterization analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and other methods was conducted. The efficient catalytic ability of N-rGO was demonstrated through the generation of hydrogen peroxide ( H2O2) and consumption of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The superiority of the three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical advanced oxidation process was proposed by combining different systems. Furthermore, the presence of hydroxyl radicals (.OH), persulfate radicals ( SO4 ·−), and singlet oxygen (1O2) was identified using electron spin resonance (ESR) technology. The utilization of N-rGO as a three-dimensional electrode, coupled with the advantages of PMS activation and electrochemical oxidation processes, is a promising method for treating organic pollutants in wastewater.

In this investigation, we synthesized a novel quaternary nanocomposite, denoted as RGO-Ba(OH)2/CeO2/TiO2, through a straightforward and cost-effective solid-state synthesis approach. The as-prepared composites underwent a series of comprehensive characterizations, including XRD, FTIR, TGA-DTA, XPS, SEM, EDAX, and TEM analyses, affirming the successful synthesis of a quaternary nanocomposite with well-interconnected nanoparticles, nanorods, and sheet-like structures. Further, our electrochemical performance evaluations demonstrated that the electrochemical capacitance of the RGO-Ba(OH)2/CeO2/ TiO2 nanocomposite achieved an impressive value of 445 F g− 1 at a current density of 1.0 A g− 1, particularly when the mass ratio of CeO2 and TiO2 was maintained at 90:10. Furthermore, the specific capacitance retained a remarkable 65% even after 2000 cycles at a current density of 6 A g− 1 in a 3 mol KOH electrolyte. Comparatively, this outstanding electrochemical performance of the RGO-Ba(OH)2/CeO2/TiO2 (90:10) nanocomposite can be attributed to several factors. These include the favorable electrical conductivity and large specific surface area provided by graphene, TiO2, and Ba(OH)2, the enhanced energy density and extended cycle life resulting from the presence of CeO2, and the synergistic contributions among all four components. Therefore, the RGO-Ba(OH)2/CeO2/TiO2 nanocomposite emerges as a highly promising electrode material for supercapacitors.

Synthesis of extremely competent materials is of great interest in addressing the energy storage concerns. Manganese oxide nanowires ( MnO2 NWs) are prepared in situ with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene oxide (GO) using a simple and effective hydrothermal method. Powder XRD, Raman and XPS analysis are utilized to examine the structural characteristics and chemical state of composites. The initial specific discharge capacity of pure MnO2 NWs, MnO2 NWs/ MWCNT and MnO2 NWs/rGO composites are 1225, 1589 and 1685 mAh/g, respectively. The MnO2 NWs/MWCNT and MnO2 NWs/rGO composites showed stable behavior with a specific capacity of 957 and 1108 mAh/g, respectively, after 60 cycles. Moreover, MnO2 NWs/rGO composite sustained a specific capacity of 784 mAh/g, even after 250 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g showing outstanding cycling stability.

Photoanode optimization is a fascinating technique for enlightening the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this present study, V2O5/ ZnO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-V2O5/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by the solid-state technique and used as photoanodes for DSSCs. A wet chemical technique was implemented to generate individual V2O5 and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The structural characteristics of the as-synthesized NCs were investigated and confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The average crystallite size (D) of the as-synthesized V2O5/ ZnO and rGO-V2O5/ZnO NCs was determined by Debye-Scherer’s formula. The bandgap (eV) energy was calculated from Tauc’s plots, and the bonding nature and detection of the excitation of electrons were investigated using the Ultra violet (UV) visible spectra, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectral analysis. Electrical studies like Hall effect analysis and the Nyquist plots are also described. The V2O5/ ZnO and rGO-V2O5/ZnO NCs based DSSCs exhibited 0.64% and 1.27% of PCE and the short circuit current densities and open circuit voltages improved from 7.10 to 11.28 mA/cm2 and from 0.57 to 0.68 V, respectively.

Exploring cheap and efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is extremely vital for the commercial application of advanced energy storage and conversion systems. Herein, a self-supporting Co3S4/ S-doped reduced graphene oxide ( Co3S4/S-rGO) film catalyst is successfully prepared by a blade coating coupled with high-temperature annealing strategy, and its morphology, structure and composition are measured and analyzed. It is substantiated that the as-synthesized Co3S4/ S-rGO film possesses unique self-supporting structure, and is composed of uniformly dispersed Co3S4 nanoparticles and highly conductive S-rGO, which benefit the exposure of catalytic sites and electron transfer. By reason of the synergistic effect of the two individual components, the self-supporting Co3S4/ S-rGO film catalyst displays outstanding catalytic performance towards OER. As a consequence, the Co3S4/ S-rGO film catalyst delivers an overpotential of 341 mV at 10 mA cm-2, and the current attenuation rate is only 2.6% after continuous operation for 4 h, verifying excellent catalytic activity and durability. Clearly, our results offers a good example for the construction of high-performance self-supporting carbon-based composite film catalysts for critical electrocatalytic reactions.

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of a heterogeneous catalyst consisting of piperazine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide decorated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles ( Fe3O4@rGO-NH), and the study of its catalytic activity as a magnetic heterogeneous catalyst for the Pechmann synthesis of coumarins. Catalyst Fe3O4@ rGO-NH was fully characterized by various techniques, including IR, XRD, TEM, VSM, TGA, and elemental analysis. Then, the catalyst was used as an efficient and easy-separable heterogeneous catalyst for the solvent-free synthesis of some coumarins by Pechmann reaction. The reaction was optimized in terms of reaction time and temperature, catalyst dosage, and the presence/absence of the solvent. Finally, the reusability of the catalyst was studied.

NiMoS2 is a promising material for various functional applications and highly compatible with GO to make hybrid nanocomposites with excellent characteristics for supercapacitor electrode material. Deposition of NiMoS2 was achieved on the rGO(reduced Graphene Oxide) surface to form a NiMoS2− rGO nanocomposite by the method of the facile hydrothermal synthesis process. XRD pattern shows the crystalline nature of composites. Raman and EPMA result interpreting the composites formation and elements compositions, respectively. The sheet-like morphology of rGO was found in the composites by FESEM images. Particles distribution was confirmed by HR-TEM. The electrochemical properties of the pure NiMoS2 and NiMoS2– rGO composites have been studied by cyclic voltammetry analysis. The results revealed that the NiMoS2/ 5% rGO nanocomposites exhibit high specific capacitance compared to pure NiMoS2 due to the synergistic effects of NiMoS2 and rGO in the composite material. The photocatalytic behavior of the prepared nanocomposites for dye degradation was tested. The quantity of rGO has significantly improved the photocatalytic behavior of NiMoS2/ rGO composites. The studies on degradation mechanism, the N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, pore size distribution behavior and % of removal of MB reveal the enhanced photocatalytic performance of sysnthesised composites.

Oil spills into ocean or coastal waters can result in significant damage to the environment via pollution of aquatic ecosystems. Absorbents based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) foams have the capacity to remove minor or major oil spills. However, conventional chemical synthesis of rGO often uses petrochemical precursors, potentially harmful chemicals, and requires special processing conditions that are expensive to maintain. In this work, an alternative cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach suitable for large-scale production of high-quality rGO directly from used cooking sunflower oil is discussed. Thus, produced flaky graphene structures are effective in absorbing used commercial sunflower oil and engine oil, via monolayer physisorption in the case of used sunflower and engine oils facilitated by van der Waals forces, π–π stacking and hydrophobic interactions, π-cation ( H+) stacking and radical scavenging activities. From adsorption kinetic models, first-order kinetics provides a better fit for used sunflower oil adsorption (R2 = 0.9919) and second-order kinetics provides a better fit for engine oil adsorption (R2 = 0.9823). From intra-particle diffusion model, R2 for USO is 0.9788 and EO is 0.9851, which indicates that both used sunflower and engine oils adsorption processes follow an intra-particle diffusion mechanism. This study confirms that waste-derived rGO could be used for environmental remediation.

The reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/activated carbon (AC) composites are coated on the aluminum substrate using spray coating technique to fabricate nanocarbon-based supercapacitor. Polymer-based solid-state xanthan-gum/Na2SO4 electrolyte is also introduced to increase stability of the supercapacitor. The electrochemical properties of the supercapacitor are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. The highest capacitance value of the rGO/AC composite-based supercapacitor is 120 F/g. The rGO/AC composite-based supercapacitor has also retained ~ 85% of its initial capacitance value after 3000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles.

The growing demand for nano-structured composite materials and sustainable processes for next generation CO2 capture technologies has necessitated the need to develop novel and cost-effective synthetic routes for solid CO2 adsorbents based on hypercross-linked polymers (HCPs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) microporous sorbent materials with improved physico-chemical properties. The most important selection is modification of the synthesized microporous sorbent materials by the incorporation of RGO, giving rise to composite materials that combine the properties of both. These hybrid materials will be of great potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications, especially for post-combustion CO2 capture, owing to the increase in CO2 capturing efficiency and selectivity to CO2 compared to other flue gases. Herein, we report a facile and effective approach for fabrication of HCPs-supported reduced graphene oxide composites. The microporous HCPs was synthesized using 4,4′-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl monomer by Friedel–Crafts alkylation. The RGO was prepared by modified Hammers method. The as-synthesized composites were characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, TGA and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm. The HCP/RGO composite showed maximum CO2 adsorption of 5.1 wt% than the HCPs alone at 40 °C and 1 atm.

3D프린팅 기술은 산업적 응용을 넘어서 기계 설비 및 각종 장비의 부품생산뿐만 아니라 의료, 식품, 패션에 이르기까지 많은 시제품들의 개발 및 연구가 진행되고 있다. 3D 프린팅 기반 기술의 적용사례를 볼 때 정밀도와 제작 속도 측면에서도 다른 산업에 충분이 활용될 수 있는 기술의 개발이 보고되고 있으나, 아직까지는 시제품 위주로 이용되고 있으며, 향후 3D 프린팅 기술은 4차산업혁명과 관련하여 광범위한 분야에서 응용될 수 있는 완성품이나 부품제작에 이용될 것으로 예상된다. 본 연구에서는 탄소나노 재료중 대표적으로 많이 이용되는 환원그래핀 [rGO(reduced graphene oxide)]과 전도성 고분자중 생체 친화적인 특성을 갖는 폴리피롤[Ppy(Polypyrrole)]의 복합체를 생분해성 고분자인 폴리카프로락톤 [PCL(polycaprolactone)]과 혼합하여 3D 프린팅용 전도성 레진을 개발하고자 하였다. 결과로, 폴리피롤과 환원그래핀 각각 5 wt%, 0.75 wt% 에서 최적의 전기적 특성을 나타내었으며, 환원그래핀의 농도에 따른 표면분석에서도 이와 부합하는 결과를 확인 할 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통하여 제조된 전도성 레진은 3D 프린팅 뿐만 아니라, 다른 산업분야의 전자재료에도 적용이 가능할 것으로 사료된다.

에너지 저장 매체는 소형화, 고효율화 및 그린에너지 정책에 부합하면서 연구개발이 진행되고 있으며 유연성과 신축성을 갖는 디스플레이나 웨어러블 전자기기의 발전에 상응하는 에너지 저장 매체 의 개발이 시급한 상황으로 이를 실현 할 수 있는 물질가운데, 탄소나노 재료중의 하나인 그래핀과 그 래핀 하이브리드와 같은 뛰어난 전기화학적 특성을 지니고 있는 나노 재료가 각광을 받고 있다. 또한 슈퍼커패시터와 배터리 및 연료전지 등과 같은 에너지 저장 소자에 응용하기 위한 연구가 활발하게 진 행 중에 있으며, 여러 가지 에너지 저장 매체 중 단시간에 고출력을 구현하고 장시간 신뢰성을 갖추며, 빠른 충·방전 순환특성을 가지는 슈퍼커패시터는 차세대 에너지원으로 많은 관심을 받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 플렉시블한 특성을 갖는 그래핀과 전도성 고분자 하이브리드 전극을 기반으로 하는 슈퍼커패시터를 개발하고자 하였으며 환원된 그래핀 옥사이드/폴리피롤 복합재료를 이용하여, 전기화학 적 특성을 최대화 하였다. 그 결과 굽힘 시험 전 전극의 초기 용량값은 198.5 F g-1 이었으며, 500번의 굽힘 시험 후 128.3 F g-1로 감소하는 것을 확인하였으나, 전극의 초기 전기 용량 값의 65 %의 성능을 유지하였다.

본 연구에서는 유연성을 갖는 전극 제조를 위해 환원된 그래핀 옥사이드/단일벽 탄소나노튜 브 복합체를 금이 코팅된 PET 기판 위에 스프레이 코팅하였다. 제조된 플렉시블한 전극의 전기 용량 값 은 1 M의 황산 전해질과 100 mV s-1 의 주사속도에서 82 F g-1 으로 측정 되었으며, 이 용량 값은 500 번의 굽힘 시험 후에 38 F g-1 로 감소되는 현상을 확인 하였다. 또한, 이러한 결과는 정전류 충 방전과 전기화학 임피던스법을 포함한 전기화학적 분석 결과와도 부합하는 결과를 나타내었다. 유연성을 갖는 환원된 그래핀 옥사이드/단일벽 탄소나노튜브 복합체 전극은 500회의 반복적인 굽힘 시험 후에도 대략 50%의 초기 전기 용량 값을 유지 할 수 있었으며, 이러한 여러 가지 전기화학적 특성을 고려하여 볼 때 미래 개발 가능한 플렉시블한 에너지 저장 매체로써의 적용이 가능 하다는 점을 확인 할 수 있었 다.