Holey Graphene Structures for Advanced Energy Storage Applications

Holey graphene refers to a two-dimensional carbon material in which nanoscale perforations are introduced into the graphene lattice, creating a network of pores that span the sheet thickness. These pores enhance the accessible surface area and introduce pathways for rapid ion transport, thereby overcoming limitations of pristine graphene in energy storage devices. Tunable pore size, from microporous to mesoporous regimes, allows optimisation for specific charge-storage mechanisms, whether electric double-layer capacitance or intercalation processes. Fabrication approaches range from chemical etching and oxidative treatments to ion irradiation and templated pyrolysis, each offering control over pore density, size distribution and functional groups at pore edges. The resulting architectures combine high electrical conductivity, structural stability and efficient electrolyte permeation, delivering improved rate capability, cycling stability and energy-density performance. Holey graphene structures have been integrated into lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery anodes, where they accommodate volume changes and facilitate rapid ion insertion, as well as into supercapacitor electrodes, where the enlarged surface area and shortened ion diffusion paths yield high specific capacitance and power density. Advances in composite formation, such as embedding carbon nanotubes or incorporating polymeric binders, further enhance mechanical integrity and electrode scalability. Overall, holey graphene represents a versatile platform for next-generation energy storage technologies, offering pathways to high-performance, durable and commercially viable devices.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated a fully scalable method to create uniform 6–7 nm holes and straight vertical nanochannels in multilayer graphene oxide films via swift heavy-ion irradiation, yielding through-pores even in micrometre-thick membranes. Another work introduced a microwave-assisted route to deposit and remove metal nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide, producing holey reduced graphene oxide with 2–5 nm pores and a high specific surface area, which achieved excellent reversible capacity and rate performance as a lithium-ion battery anode. A hybrid electrode comprising reduced holey graphene oxide films sandwiched with carbon nanotubes has been shown to function as a flexible, binder-free supercapacitor electrode, exhibiting enhanced ion diffusion, high specific capacitance and superior cycling stability compared with pristine graphene counterparts.

Holey Graphene Structures for Advanced Energy Storage Applications publication trend

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

Technical terms

Holey graphene: Graphene sheets uniformly perforated with nanoscale pores to increase accessible surface area and mass transport.

Nanochannel: A straight, vertical pore or conduit within a layered material that enables directed transport of ions or molecules.

Specific surface area: Total surface area of a material per unit mass, influencing the number of active sites for charge storage.

Mesoporosity: Presence of pores in the size range 2–50 nm, balancing high surface area with efficient electrolyte diffusion.

Ion diffusion pathway: The route taken by charge-carrying ions within an electrode, affecting the speed and uniformity of charge and discharge.

References

1. From nanohole to ultralong straight nanochannel fabrication in graphene oxide with swift heavy ions. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Multiscale Structural Design of 2D Nanomaterials‐based Flexible Electrodes for Wearable Energy Storage Applications. Advanced Science (2023).
3. Novel synthesis of holey reduced graphene oxide (HRGO) by microwave irradiation method for anode in lithium-ion batteries. Scientific Reports (2016).
4. Reduced holey graphene oxide film and carbon nanotubes sandwich structure as a binder-free electrode material for supercapcitor. Scientific Reports (2020).
5. Atmosphere‐free activation methodology for holey graphene/cellulose nanofiber‐based film electrode with highly efficient capacitance performance. Carbon Energy (2022).
6. Study on the Application of Nitrogen-Doped Holey Graphene in Supercapacitors with Organic Electrolyte. Nanomaterials (2023).