Electrochemical approach toward reduced graphene oxide-based electrodes for environmental applications: A review

Abstract

Graphene has shown great potential in various application fields due to its excellent carrier transportation, ultra-high specific surface area, good mechanical properties, and light transmittance. However, pure graphene still exhibits some insurmountable defects, such as difficulty in simple and large-scale preparation, and limitations in application. The electrochemical method is a simple, clean, and environmentally friendly method. The rapid and simple preparation of graphene and its derivatives by electrochemical methods has important environmental significance. Moreover, rGO-based nanohybrids can be prepared by convenient and quick electrodeposition or cyclic voltammetry (CV), or to change the morphology and structure of graphene and its derivatives to achieve the purpose of improving material properties. This work mainly summarizes electrochemically related graphene from four aspects: (i) the method of electrochemical exfoliation of graphene; (ii) types of electrodeposition rGO-based nanohybrids; (iii) electrochemical regulation of the structure of rGO-based mixtures; (iv) environmental applications of rGO-based nanohybrids prepared by electrodeposition. This article critically discusses the advantages and disadvantages of electrochemical-related graphene, outlines future challenges, and provides insightful views and references for other researchers.

Keywords: Electrochemical; Electrode; Environmental applications; Graphene; Hybrid; Reduced graphene oxide.