Page 148 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Energy and environmental applications of graphene and its derivatives 123

nanomaterials and derivatives are the most promising materials in many areas of engi-
neering science and technology, as it offers unique multifunctional properties.
Graphene is emerging as ideal candidates for thin-film devices and composite struc-
tures by the combination of other materials to provide unprecedented solutions for
several applications including electromechanical, bio-/chemosensors, crashworthi-
ness, semiconductor, and other practical applications in energy devices. GQDs have
also been a promising material for nanolights used in bioimaging, electrochemical
sensors, photoelectrochemical, photocatalysis, and photovoltaic devices. But still, a
huge challenge required using graphene’s extraordinary large specific surface area
and superior mechanical, chemical, and electric properties. Considerable achieve-
ments and rapid development have also been made in graphene-based flexible devices
such as smart gloves, electronic papers, touch screens, and wearable electronics.
Graphene also shows diverse application in the field of bioscience and biotechnol-
ogies. Graphene nanomaterials and its multifunctional nanocomposites show exten-
sive and wider applications in chemotherapy, phototherapy, and thermal therapy.
They have also been involved in drug delivery, gene therapy, and tumors cells detec-
tion. However, in order to further the advancement in biomedical applications such as
multimodality therapy and theranostics, mutual efforts of physicists, biochemists,
engineers, and material scientists are mandatory. This review chapter presents a com-
prehensive literature on the synthesis and multifunctional properties of graphene. It
also presents a bright outline on the practical industrial applications of graphene
and its based materials including its derivative and composites.

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful for the financial support from Universiti Putra Malaysia through Putra
grant no. GP-IPB/2016/9490601.
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