Introduction

Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) continue to be intensely studied materials due to their tunable properties and potential for diverse applications. This mini-review focuses on advancements in the field over the past five years, specifically highlighting research trends in membrane separation, electromagnetic wave absorption, and energy storage, based on the provided literature.

Graphene Oxide Membranes for Advanced Separation Technologies

A significant area of research focuses on GO and rGO membranes for separation applications, including water desalination, organic solvent nanofiltration, and heavy metal ion removal. Researchers are actively working on improving membrane performance by controlling GO structure, surface chemistry, and incorporating other materials.

Water Desalination and Purification: The use of GO membranes for water desalination has seen considerable progress. Sankar Nair's research group demonstrated the potential of GO nanofiltration membranes for desalination under realistic conditions (Zhongzhen Wang et al., 2021, Nature Sustainability). Alamgir Karim's group recently reviewed the current state of GO-based membranes for water desalination and purification, highlighting key challenges and future directions (Saurabh Kr Tiwary et al., 2024, npj 2D mater. appl.). Quan-Fu An's research has focused on creating GO membranes with stable porous structures for ultrafast water transport, with studies appearing in both 2020 and 2021 (Wenhai Zhang et al., 2020, Nature Nanotechnology, Wenhai Zhang et al., 2021, Nature Nanotechnology).

Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN): The application of GO membranes for OSN is also gaining traction. Tae-Hyun Bae's group explored the use of small-flake GO membranes for ultrafast size-dependent organic solvent nanofiltration (Lina Nie et al., 2020, Science Advances). Kyung Hyun Choi's group investigated functionalized GO-based lamellar membranes for OSN applications (Ashique Hussain Jatoi et al., 2023, RSC Advances) and also developed GO-lignin biopolymer nanocomposite membranes for separation of biomolecules, dyes, and salts (Akbar Ali et al., 2024, ACS Applied Polymer Materials). Dae Woo Kim's group demonstrated microwave-assisted design of nanoporous graphene membrane for ultrafast and switchable organic solvent nanofiltration (Junhyeok Kang et al., 2023, Nature Communications).

Heavy Metal Ion Removal: GO-based materials are also being explored for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater. Ayaz Ali Memon's research group focused on lamellar GO-based composite membranes for efficient separation of heavy metal ions and desalination of water (Dahar Janwery et al., 2023, ACS Omega). Md. Humayun Kabir's group has shown the effectiveness of waste material-derived GO-supported cobalt-iron magnetic nanocomposites for the ultrafast and simultaneous removal of tetracyclines from aqueous solutions (Md Sohag Hossain et al., 2024, RSC Advances).

Membrane Modification and Enhancement: Several studies focus on modifying GO membranes to enhance their performance. Linjun Huang's group developed bioinspired GO membranes with pH-responsive nanochannels for high-performance nanofiltration (Zhijie Zhang et al., 2021, ACS Nano). Dan Liu's group demonstrated enhanced ion sieving of GO membranes via surface amine functionalization (Yijun Qian et al., 2021, Journal of the American Chemical Society). Jin Ran's group explored 2D heterostructured nanofluidic channels for enhanced desalination performance of GO membranes (Yuying Wu et al., 2021, ACS Nano). Wanbin Li's group recently developed a nanowire-assisted electrochemical perforation method for creating pores in GO nanosheets for molecular separation (Hai Liu et al., 2024, Nature Communications). Chao Xu's group demonstrated that ion sieving in GO membranes enables efficient actinides/lanthanides separation (Zhipeng Wang et al., 2023, Nature Communications). Katsumi Kaneko's group explored the selective adsorption of H2O/D2O on flexible GO nanosheets (Ryusuke Futamura et al., 2024, Nature Communications).

Graphene Oxide Composites for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Another significant research area is the development of GO and rGO composites for electromagnetic wave absorption. These materials are designed to absorb microwave radiation, making them useful for applications such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and stealth technology.

MXene and MOF Composites: Yuezhan Feng's group explored multifunctional magnetic MXene/Graphene aerogels with superior electromagnetic wave absorption performance (Luyang Liang et al., 2020, ACS Nano, Luyang Liang et al., 2021, ACS Nano). Xiaogu Huang's group developed ultralight magnetic and dielectric aerogels achieved by metal-organic framework (MOF) initiated gelation of GO for enhanced microwave absorption (Xiaogu Huang et al., 2022, Nano-Micro Letters). Rui Zhao's group fabricated an ultralight Ni-MOF-rGO aerogel with both dielectric and magnetic performances for enhanced microwave absorption (Kunyao Cao et al., 2023, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces).

Other Composites and Strategies: Guangbin Ji's group created ultrabroad microwave absorption ability and infrared stealth property of nano-micro CuS@rGO lightweight aerogels (Yue Wu et al., 2022, Nano-Micro Letters). Ruiwen Shu's group has been actively involved in this area, fabricating core-shell structure NiFe2O4@SiO2 decorated nitrogen-doped graphene composite aerogels towards excellent electromagnetic absorption in the Ku band (Ruiwen Shu et al., 2023, Carbon) and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/tricobalt tetraoxide composite aerogels with high efficiency, broadband microwave absorption, and good compression recovery performance (Ruiwen Shu et al., 2024, Journal of Material Science and Technology). Renchao Che's group investigated the regulatory mechanism of trace Fe on graphene electromagnetic wave absorption (Kaili Zhang et al., 2024, Nano-Micro Letters).

Graphene Oxide in Energy Storage Applications

GO and rGO are also being investigated for energy storage applications, particularly in supercapacitors. The high surface area and electrical conductivity of these materials make them attractive for electrode materials.

Supercapacitor Electrode Materials: Rajesh Kumar's group explored microwave-assisted synthesis of iron oxide homogeneously dispersed on reduced graphene oxide for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes (Rajesh Kumar et al., 2022, Journal of Energy Storage). Ahmad Umar's group investigated the potential of reduced graphene oxide/polyaniline (rGO@PANI) nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitor application (Ahmad Umar et al., 2024, Electrochimica Acta). Patrice Simon's group studied cation desolvation-induced capacitance enhancement in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) (Kangkang Ge et al., 2024, Nature Communications). Salma Aman's group developed a high-performance MoO3/g-CN supercapacitor electrode material utilizing MoO3 nanoparticles grafted on g-CN nanosheets (Tehreem Zahra et al., 2024, Diamond and Related Materials). Xiong Zhang's group synthesized cation-deficient T-Nb2O5/graphene Hybrids via chemical oxidative etching of MXene for advanced lithium-ion capacitors (Lei Wang et al., 2023, Chemical Engineering Journal).

Conclusion

The research landscape surrounding GO and rGO is dynamic, with significant advancements in tailoring their properties for specific applications. The studies reviewed here highlight the ongoing efforts to improve membrane separation technologies, develop advanced electromagnetic wave absorbing materials, and enhance energy storage capabilities. Future research will likely focus on further optimizing the synthesis, modification, and integration of GO and rGO into functional devices for a wide range of applications.

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