Reduced graphene oxide-based materials for electrochemical energy conversion reactions

Abstract

There have been ever-growing demands to develop advanced electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion over the past decade. As a promising platform for advanced electrocatalysts, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has attracted substantial research interests in a variety of electrochemical energy conversion reactions. Its versatile utility is mainly attributed to unique physical and chemical properties, such as high specific surface area, tunable electronic structure, and the feasibility of structural modification and functionalization. Here, a comprehensive discussion is provided upon recent advances in the material preparation, characterization, and the catalytic activity of rGO-based electrocatalysts for various electrochemical energy conversion reactions (water splitting, CO2 reduction reaction, N2 reduction reaction, and O2 reduction reaction). Major advantages of rGO and the related challenges for enhancing their catalytic performance are addressed.