Graphene Synthesis and Applications in Energy Storage

Graphene, a single layer of sp²-bonded carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, combines extraordinary electronic conductivity, high mechanical strength and large specific surface area. These features render it a key material for next-generation energy storage devices, including supercapacitors and batteries. Synthesis methods fall broadly into top-down approaches—such as mechanical or chemical exfoliation of graphite—and bottom-up techniques, notably chemical vapour deposition. Recent advances have focused on environmentally benign and scalable routes, exploiting biomass or renewable precursors to produce few-layer graphene or graphene-based carbons with tailored pore structures. Such developments have enabled electrodes with enhanced ion-transport kinetics, high capacitance and extended cycle life. Functionalisation strategies, including heteroatom doping and surface modification, further optimise electrochemical performance. Collectively, these efforts are driving the integration of graphene-derived materials into high-energy and high-power devices, with global significance for sustainable energy infrastructure.

Research from Nature Portfolio

One study has demonstrated the direct growth of single- to few-layer graphene films from a renewable oil precursor under ambient-air conditions, eliminating specialised gases and vacuum processing. The resulting material showed excellent electrochemical activity when employed as a genosensor electrode and points towards low-cost, scalable film production. In another work, few-layer graphene sheets were produced via mechanical exfoliation of agricultural waste, yielding a micro- and mesoporous network with a surface area exceeding 2000 m² g⁻¹. Electrodes galvanised from this biomass-derived graphene exhibited energy densities above 60 Wh kg⁻¹ in organic electrolytes and retained high power densities. A third investigation described the fabrication of three-dimensional, hierarchically porous graphene-based carbons from biomass, achieving a specific surface area over 3600 m² g⁻¹. The hierarchical pore architecture enabled high specific capacitance and energy-power characteristics comparable to state-of-the-art materials, underscoring the promise of sustainable carbon sources.

Graphene Synthesis and Applications in Energy Storage publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in graphene synthesis and applications in energy storage across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Graphene: A two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms in an sp² hexagonal arrangement, noted for its conductivity and strength.

Chemical vapour deposition: A bottom-up synthesis technique in which gaseous reactants form graphene layers on a substrate under controlled temperature and pressure.

Mechanical exfoliation: A top-down approach that separates graphene layers from bulk graphite by physical or ultrasonic means.

Supercapacitor: An electrochemical energy storage device characterised by high power density and long cycle life, utilising porous carbon electrodes.

Graphene oxide: An oxidised form of graphene bearing oxygenated functional groups, often used as an intermediate for reduction to graphene.

References

1. Single-step ambient-air synthesis of graphene from renewable precursors as electrochemical genosensor. Nature Communications (2017).
2. Large area few-layer graphene with scalable preparation from waste biomass for high-performance supercapacitor. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. Activated Biomass-derived Graphene-based Carbons for Supercapacitors with High Energy and Power Density. Scientific Reports (2018).
4. One-Step One Chemical Synthesis Process of Graphene from Rice Husk for Energy Storage Applications. Graphene (2017).
5. Synthesis of graphene: Potential carbon precursors and approaches. Nanotechnology Reviews (2020).
6. Graphene research and their outputs: Status and prospect. Journal of Science Advanced Materials and Devices (2020).