Advances in synthesis of graphene derivatives using industrial wastes precursors; prospects and challenges

Abstract

Graphene, a two-dimensional single layered carbon atoms crystal lattice has grabbed much attention due to its unique electronic, surface, mechanical and optoelectronic characteristics. Owing to its unique structure and properties, graphene has opened new opportunities for the future systems and devices, which has led to increase its demand in numerous applications. However, scaling up its production is still a challenging job. Although there is a huge body of literature on the graphene synthesis using various techniques but eco-friendly and cost–effective processes for mass scale production are still needed. In order to conceptualize and develop the processes fulfilling the growing concerns, it is important to overview the existing literature. The current review summarizes the production of graphene using several approaches as well as the potential of various waste materials as graphene precursors. The methods used for graphene synthesis have been categorized into top down techniques such as chemical exfoliation, mechanical exfoliation and chemical fabrication processes, and bottom up techniques including pyrolysis, plasma synthesis, epitaxial growth and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. Conversely, several limitations are considerate for an individual procedure such as toxicity of chemicals, high-cost, time consumption or inadequate quality of the product. Furthermore, mass production of graphene derivatives under low-cost can also be considered by utilizing a variety of wastes precursors such as plastic and batteries waste, newspaper, biomass, chitosan, coal, insects waste etc. This review designates the current advances in wastes-derived graphene synthesis to relief synthetic difficulties as well as predicts the future development in this area.

Keywords

• Graphene synthetic routes
• Waste precursors
• Carbon sources
• Materials processing
• Mass production