332 catalysts, storage devices, etc. Carbon is considered a rich family for nanoscale systems, and it exhibits extensive functionalities which depend on its structural and functional arrangements. But not all… Click to show full abstract
332 catalysts, storage devices, etc. Carbon is considered a rich family for nanoscale systems, and it exhibits extensive functionalities which depend on its structural and functional arrangements. But not all members of the carbon family have become relevant for application in modern society. The most promising research has focused on two-dimensional (2D) graphene-based systems, with an exponentially increasing number of publications since 2005. After the demonstration of the physical functionality of the graphene-based systems, the chemical functionality of graphene, and the different synthesis processes, has also become a focus for attention [1]. There are different aspects to the role of graphene, and the functionalities it demonstrates. One aspect, is the attention graphene draws to the potential for the functional properties of graphene to be active alongside other functional systems. In our group, we mainly focus on electrospinning functional polymeric and inorganic nanofibers/nanowebs. Utilizing the advantage of the synthesis process for the production of membranes with 1D nanostructural features with designer surface functionality and architecture allow us to use them in environmental remediation processes to remove organic waste and heavy metal pollutants [2,3]. Thanks to the surface functional groups, high surface area, porous nature and typical architecture, electrospun polymeric nanofibers were effectively utilized as a platform for adsorbing the pollutants and used as filters. As an effective adsorbent, graphene has been widely investigated for the effective removal of pollutants from the wastewater [4]. Coupling graphene-based nanostructures with electrospun polymeric nanofibers represents a fundamental step for improving the effective adsorptive behavior of our polymeric membranes. In particular, chemically synthesized reduced graphene oxides having the sp2–sp3 carbon functionality were successfully synthesized by the modified hummers method followed by chemical reduction. By adopting the chemical functionality for the electrospun nanofibers, a reduced graphene oxide decorated polymeric nanofiber based hybrid form of membranes have been synthesized as an effective adsorbent. The reduced form of graphene oxide not plays a role as an effective absorbent, but it also acts toward improving the stability of the polymeric membranes. Through the self-assembly process, the patterning of the micro-nano structure was constructed through the interaction of covalent, metallic, hydrogen and coordination
               
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