Graphene-based materials for polymer solar cells

Ligand-Assisted Formation of Graphene/Quantum Dot Monolayers with Improved Morphological and Electrical Properties

Hybrid nanomaterials based on graphene and PbS quantum dots (QDs) have demonstrated promising applications in optoelectronics. However, the formation of high-quality large-area hybrid films remains technologically challenging. Here, we demonstrate that ligand-assisted self-organization of covalently bonded PbS QDs and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) can be utilized for the formation of highly uniform monolayers. After the post-deposition ligand exchange, these films demonstrated high conductivity and photoresponse. The obtained films demonstrate a remarkable improvement in morphology and charge transport compared to those obtained by the spin-coating method. It is expected that these materials might find a range of applications in photovoltaics and optoelectronics.

A highly responsive methanol sensor based on graphene oxide/polyindole composites

Graphene-based materials, namely commercial graphene (cm-G), commercial graphene oxide (cm-GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and synthesized graphene oxide (OIHM-GO), and their composites with polyindole (PIn) were used as sensing materials for methanol vapor. The synthesized graphene oxide was prepared by the optimized improved Hummers' method. rGO was prepared from cm-GO by two different methods: thermally mild reduction at 120 °C to yield T-rGO and chemical reduction by ascorbic acid to yield C-rGO. Graphene-based material/polyindole composites were prepared by in situ polymerization. In this report, the sensing responses were evaluated from the responsive electrical currents at room temperature. cm-GO showed the highest methanol response because it possessed the highest number of oxygen species, which act as the active sites. The relative electrical conductivity response of the in situ cm-GO/dPIn composite to methanol was the highest amongst the composites. The in situ OIHM-GO/dPIn composite possessed the high relative conductivity response of 81.89 ± 2.12 at 11.36 ppm, a sensitivity of 7.37 ppm⁻¹ with R² of 0.9967 in the methanol concentration range of 1.14–11.36 ppm, a theoretical LOD of 0.015 ppm, and repeatability of at least 4 cycles with good selectivity. This work represents the first report of the preparation and testing of graphene-based materials/polyindole composites as methanol sensors.

The methanol response depended on the hydrophilicity of the composite materials; GO/dPIn demonstrated the highest oxygen content and the highest hydrophilicity, thus inducing high methanol adsorption into the inner layer of the composite.

2D-Organic Hybrid Heterostructures for Optoelectronic Applications

The unique properties of hybrid heterostructures have motivated the integration of two or more different types of nanomaterials into a single optoelectronic device structure. Despite the promising features of organic semiconductors, such as their acceptable optoelectronic properties, availability of low-cost processes for their fabrication, and flexibility, further optimization of both material properties and device performances remains to be achieved. With the emergence of atomically thin 2D materials, they have been integrated with conventional organic semiconductors to form multidimensional heterostructures that overcome the present limitations and provide further opportunities in the field of optoelectronics. Herein, a comprehensive review of emerging 2D-organic heterostructures-from their synthesis and fabrication to their state-of-the-art optoelectronic applications-is presented. Future challenges and opportunities associated with these heterostructures are highlighted.

Emerging Trends in the Syntheses of Heterocycles Using Graphene-based Carbocatalysts: An Update

Graphene-based carbocatalysts owing to numerous amazing properties such as large specific surface area, high intrinsic mobility, excellent thermal and electrical conductivities, chemical stability, ease of functionalization, simple method of preparation, effortless recovery and recyclability have gained a superior position amongst the conventional homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. In this review, an endeavor has been made to highlight the syntheses of diverse heterocyclic compounds catalyzed by graphene-based catalysts. Further, the study also reveals that all the catalysts could be reused several times without significant loss in their catalytic activity. Additionally, most of the reactions catalyzed by graphene-based carbocatalysts were carried out at ambient temperature and under solvent-free conditions. Thus, the graphene-based catalysts do not merely act as efficient catalysts but also serve as sustainable, green catalysts. This review is divided into various sub-sections, each of which comprehensively describes the preparation of a particular heterocyclic scaffold catalyzed by graphene-derived carbocatalyst in addition to synthesis of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide, functionalization, and structural features governing their catalytic properties. Synthesis of heterocycles catalyzed by graphene-based carbocatalysts.

Graphene and Graphene-Based Materials in Biomedical Applications

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Nanobiotechnology has huge potential in the field of regenerative medicine. One of the main drivers has been the development of novel nanomaterials. One developing class of materials is graphene and its derivatives recognized for their novel properties present on the nanoscale. In particular, graphene and graphene-based nanomaterials have been shown to have excellent electrical, mechanical, optical and thermal properties. Due to these unique properties coupled with the ability to tune their biocompatibility, these nanomaterials have been propelled for various applications. Most recently, these two-dimensional nanomaterials have been widely recognized for their utility in biomedical research. In this review, a brief overview of the strategies to synthesize graphene and its derivatives are discussed. Next, the biocompatibility profile of these nanomaterials as a precursor to their biomedical application is reviewed. Finally, recent applications of graphene-based nanomaterials in various biomedical fields including tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery, biosensing and bioimaging as well as other biorelated studies are highlighted.

Recent Developments in Graphene/Polymer Nanocomposites for Application in Polymer Solar Cells

Graphene (G) and its derivatives, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have enormous potential for energy applications owing to their 2D structure, large specific surface area, high electrical and thermal conductivity, optical transparency, and huge mechanical strength combined with inherent flexibility. The combination of G-based materials with polymers leads to new nanocomposites with enhanced structural and functional properties due to synergistic effects. This review briefly summarizes recent progress in the development of G/polymer nanocomposites for use in polymer solar cells (PSCs). These nanocomposites have been explored as transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs), active layers (ALs) and interfacial layers (IFLs) of PSCs. Photovoltaic parameters, such as the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF) and power-conversion efficiency (PCE) are compared for different device structures. Finally, future perspectives are discussed.

Wrinkled 2D Materials: A Versatile Platform for Low-Threshold Stretchable Random Lasers

A stretchable, flexible, and bendable random laser system capable of lasing in a wide range of spectrum will have many potential applications in next- generation technologies, such as visible-spectrum communication, superbright solid-state lighting, biomedical studies, fluorescence, etc. However, producing an appropriate cavity for such a wide spectral range remains a challenge owing to the rigidity of the resonator for the generation of coherent loops. 2D materials with wrinkled structures exhibit superior advantages of high stretchability and a suitable matrix for photon trapping in between the hill and valley geometries compared to their flat counterparts. Here, the intriguing functionalities of wrinkled reduced graphene oxide, single-layer graphene, and few-layer hexagonal boron nitride, respectively, are utilized to design highly stretchable and wearable random laser devices with ultralow threshold. Using methyl-ammonium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (PNC) to illustrate the working principle, the lasing threshold is found to be ≈10 µJ cm^-2 , about two times less than the lowest value ever reported. In addition to PNC, it is demonstrated that the output lasing wavelength can be tuned using different active materials such as semiconductor quantum dots. Thus, this study is very useful for the future development of high-performance wearable optoelectronic devices.