Electromagnetic irradiation-assisted synthesis, exfoliation and modification of graphene-based materials for energy storage and sensing applications

Abstract

Over the past ten years, there has been a significant advance in the use of light-based photonic energy to synthesize and modify carbon materials for a variety of applications. Graphene-based materials, formed from different carbon sources, possess distinctive structures, exceptional electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and lightweight features. These characteristics have attracted growing attention from researchers working on electrodes for energy and sensing devices fabricated by direct illumination of carbon-rich materials with electromagnetic (EM) radiation. In this context, we present an overview of the most recent advancements in the use of light for synthesis, modification and doping of novel carbon-based materials. We discuss a broad range of photon-induced irradiation techniques, including microwave (MW), infrared (IR), visible/sunlight, ultraviolet (UV), X-ray, γ-ray. These techniques have been applied to enhance the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of carbon and carbon-based composite electrodes. Furthermore, this text emphasizes the latest results on the application of these electrodes made from EM photon-based graphene in the fields of energy and sensing research, with the goal of showcasing the current advancements in this rapidly developing area. Finally, we also discuss the present constraints and potential future advancements of EM-based photo induced graphene production and its applications. In the near future, as a result of the ongoing advances in materials and processing technologies, graphene-based composite electrodes are expected to play a significant role in various important fields.