In Situ Synthesis of Multifunctional Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Graphene Derivatives and Inorganic Nanoparticles for Advanced Applications

Abstract

Hybrid nanocomposites based on graphene derivatives decorated with inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted the interest of the scientific community for advanced technology applications, due to the synergistic combination of the superior properties of graphene with the unique size- and shape-dependent functionalities of the inorganic matter, at the nanoscale. Such a combination is able not only to enhance the properties of the single components, but also to achieve original and unprecedented functionalities, thus motivating significant efforts in developing innovative solutions for preparing multifunctional nanocomposites. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the latest bottom-up and top-down methods, and often unconventional chemical and physical approaches, for the in situ decoration of graphene derivatives with inorganic NPs, and also offers insights into the origin of their structure- and morphology-related properties, in view of their potential applications. After a general description of the properties of graphene derivatives, their covalent and non-covalent functionalisation routes, selected examples of in situ and ex situ methods for preparing nanocomposites with inorganic NPs, polymers and molecules are addressed, and a comprehensive discussion of the latest unconventional in situ routes for manufacturing functional hybrid nanocomposite materials and their technological application in devices is reported.