Graphene from waste and bioprecursors synthesis method and its application: A review

Abstract

Recently, carbonaceous material such as porous carbon, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, graphene oxide (GO) and activated carbon has received tremendous attention from researchers. To date, the exploration of graphene is still in vast. Graphene has been applied in various applications which include polymer composites, energy storage, fuel cell and biomedical applications. This is due to its unique characteristics such as large surface area and high remarkable electronic, mechanical and thermal properties. Even though chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been established as an effective method to synthesize graphene, but the yield is low and may not compatible in certain applications. In addition, the chemical process of the production of graphene from exfoliation of graphite oxide involves hazardous and toxic reagents. Currently, bio-waste materials have been a great source for production of carbon. Furthermore, bio-waste materials are abundant and proper disposal method is needed. Hence, preparation of graphene from waste and biomass precursors is a new alternative to overcome the afore mentioned problem. Therefore, this paper will be focused on the method of synthesizing graphene from glucose, rice husk, chitosan, corn stalk core and plastic waste. The application of graphene derived from each bioprecursor for dye removal, adsorption of toxic and heavy metals, gas storage and supercapacitors will also be reviewed.