Recent Progress on Synthesis of 3D Graphene, Properties, and Emerging Applications

Abstract

Materials based on 3D graphene, such as aerogels, hydrogels, sponges, and foams, are attracting substantial interest due to their superb electrical conductivity, remarkable mechanical properties, and expedited mass and electron transport. These substances preserve the inherent characteristics of 2D graphene sheets and introduce enhanced features like low density, substantial surface area, high porosity, and steadfast mechanical properties. The applications for 3D graphene-based materials are vast, ranging from flexible electronics, sensors, absorbents, and composites to catalysis, energy storage devices, agricultural uses, water purification, biomedical applications, and solar steam generation devices, among others. In this book chapter, we consolidate the latest advancements in the fabrication of 3D graphene-based materials, discussing their properties and the emerging uses in composites and energy storage apparatuses. The synthesis of 3D graphene-based materials on a larger scale poses substantial challenges, the discussion of which might spur innovation and novel approaches in this domain. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary progress in this field, emphasizing the synthesis, properties, and diverse applications of these advanced materials. Our research is anticipated to establish a groundwork for the widespread preparation, understanding of structure–property relationships, and utilization of 3D graphene-based architectures (3DGAs) across various fields, including but not limited to tissue engineering, electronics, supercapacitors, composites, and energy storage devices.