The 2-Dimensional World of Graphene

In this chapter, the measurements of fluorescence lifetimes of short-chain dyads ((E)-4-(((9H-fluorene-2-yl) Dimino)-methyl), N, N dimethyl-aniline (NND MBF)-graphene quantum dot (GQD) nanocomposite systems were made. The results observed from this system have been compared with the pristine dyad (p-dyad) and graphene oxide (GO)-dyad nanocomposite and Carbon Quantum Dot(CQD) nanocomposite. When compared to pristine dyad and dyad-GO systems, the dyad-GQD appears to be a much better light-energy converter because of its superior capacity for trans-conformer retention, which can occur even under a photoexcitation state. In the instance of the nanocomposite dyad NNDMBF-GQD, the surface trap effects may be the cause of the excited state's trans-conformer's relative stability when compared to its pristine form.

This chapter discusses the great potential of functional graphene-based nanosensors in forensic investigation. There are several limitations faced by forensic investigators in analyzing trace amounts of illicit drugs, narcotics, toxins, and explosives because of the sensitivity, specificity, selectivity, chemical and volatile nature of explosives, and impurities in the residues collected from the crime scene. This chapter highlights the application of functional graphene-based nanosensors and graphene quantum dots in improving forensic analysis by enhancing the sensitivity of these carbon-based nanoparticles and optimizing the response range of sensors. The major focus of this chapter will be on the application of graphene nanosensors for the detection of trace amounts of illicit drugs, narcotics, and explosives that are collected from crime scenes. It will also entail a comparison of the application of graphene nanoparticles and metallic nanoparticles for drug analysis. 

Graphene is both the thinnest and the lightest material studied by the scientists. Amongst the various applications of graphene, water purification is the major one. Originally graphene was prepared using graphite and other hydrocarbons as precursors. Recently waste materials like rice husk, hemp, paper cups, and other biomass have been used as graphene precursors. Similarly, graphene can be synthesized from plastic wastes like PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles waste as a source material and polyethylene(PE) and polypropylene(PP) as a carbon source.

Water is required by human beings for living, house chores, and industrial processes. Waste water treatment is an essential topic related to human health and industrial uses. Water pollutants are mainly divided into two types; organic water pollutants and inorganic water pollutants. The organic water pollutants are dyes, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. Inorganic water pollutants are rare earth elements like La, Ce, Ho, Eu, and Y, other organometallic catalysts, and fertilizers containing heavy metals. Waste water treatment processes are essential to eliminate or decrease pollutants and provide a safe water supply. Study shows that graphene and graphene oxide are promising materials for eliminating pollutants from water.

Graphene, a 2D material with outstanding electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, has attracted scientists and researchers globally, to design and fabricate various graphene-based energy production and storage devices. The influence of graphene was found to improve the performance and cyclability of many energy production and storage devices. In this chapter, we highlighted the structure, synthesis, and importance of graphene and its utilization in various energy-related technologies.

Carbon-based technology has become a multidisciplinary field including water treatment, agriculture, material science, medicine, and other sciences due to their unique characteristics. Research on graphene technology has focused heavily on graphene and its derivatives, including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Traditional processes for producing rGO involve harsh conditions, including high temperatures and hazardous chemicals and solvents. The creation of green-based nanomaterials is the current research focus on a global scale. Nanotechnological applications are rapidly growing that use agricultural waste biomass as a reducing agent and turn it into graphene-based products in an effort to lessen their detrimental effects on the environment. Graphene-based materials and metal nanoparticles are frequently combined to improve the characteristics of nanomaterials today with the use of green reductants. Additionally, rGO not only offers the nucleation site but also prevents metal nanoparticles from clumping together. Here, we discuss the utilization of agricultural waste biomass for green rGO production and graphene-based metal nanocomposite, as well as its application to the environment and healthcare. Finally, this review offers some insight into potential future developments, particularly with regard to scaling up rGO and graphene-based metal nanocomposites in many potential applications. 

Graphene, one of the most recent materials, has unique physical and chemical properties. The low weight and honeycomb structure of graphene gives it extraordinary unique properties. According to a recent study, experts from many different disciplines, such as biological science, energy, and the environment, are interested in graphene-based composites. These nanoparticles also show certain biologically undesirable effects that need to be clarified. As a result, it became important to analyse graphene's characteristics and potential uses. In this chapter, recent advancements in the synthesis process for composites consisting of nanoparticles and graphene, examine their properties and discuss their advantages for a variety of applications. Additionally, the important properties of the unit cell's edges, bond formation, bond electronic structure, and stacking sequence were emphasized. Investigations are also conducted into how these illnesses affect the thermal, electrical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of graphene. Following a brief explanation of the fundamental composition, production methods, and their properties are discussed. Finally, present challenges in surface modification are explored, along with prospective directions for future study. Thus this paper detailing the excellent techniques and some cutting-edge graphene applications is necessary.

Stimulating properties of two 2D-Graphene, like its huge surface area, exceptional electrical conductivity, extreme thinness, amazing electron kinesis, and state-of-the-art mechanical regulation, have added an enormous investigative concern. This background exhibits significant dynamism and find widespread application in various energy storage devices like Li-sulfur batteries, Li-ion batteries, Li-oxygen batteries, sodium Ion batteries and also as a hybrid cathode/anode material for supercapacitors. Scaled-up, stable production and correspondence of carbon-based nano-materials are essential conditions for the preparation of graphene-based EESDs. This chapter diagnostically explains the synthesis methods of graphene and the properties of graphene-nanomaterials with various dimensions in adaptable EESDs. The main tasks and scenarios in this field are also discussed.

Graphene (Gr) has extraordinary properties such as excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal strength. Adding Gr into the metal matrix enhances the overall properties of the nanocomposite (NC). The advantages and disadvantages of any kind of NC depend on various defects such as vacancy, holes, cracks, etc. and these defects depend on the type of application. This review article presents an extended finite element method (X-FEM) to model and analyze the mechanical properties of graphene nanocomposites (GNC). X-FEM is an excellent tool to analyze crack growth in graphene sheets (GS) and GNC. This FEM analysis is performed using different properties such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and mass density. It has been observed from the review that aligning and distributing GS randomly enhances the mechanical properties but if crack formation occurs in the NC or on the GS then properties start degrading. 

The material's exciting properties, which have substantially expanded the field of study, include its enormous surface area, outstanding electrical conductivity, extreme thinness, amazing electron kinesis, and cutting-edge mechanical control. These topographies are largely active for various energy-storage devices (EESDs) such as supercapacitors, hybrid cathode and anode materials, lithium-sulfur batteries, lithiumion batteries, lithium-oxygen batteries, and sodium-ion batteries. The scalability, stability, and uniformity of nanomaterials made of carbon are essential for the development of graphene-based energy storage devices.

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs), an advanced class of materials with exceptional mechanical properties and tailored functionality have emerged as a promising option for a wide range of applications. Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon allotrope with remarkable properties, has the potential to further enhance the structural integrity and mechanical performance of MMCs when integrated into them. Therefore, this article reviews the results obtained from a thorough examination of the microstructure and mechanical properties of metal-based composites, focusing on the impact of graphene reinforcement. The microstructure and mechanical characteristics of graphene-based MMCs are highly influenced by the amount of graphene present, the process used, and the presence of defects. In general, graphene addition has shown improvement in the mechanical strength, and hardness of MMCs due to refinement in grain size. MMC characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction have been discussed to understand the graphene’s dispersion, interfacial bonding with metal, and crystallographic changes in MMC. Based on the outcomes, it can be concluded that graphene-based MMCs have the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, from aerospace and automotive to electronics and energy storage.