A comprehensive review of the use of porous graphene frameworks for various types of rechargeable lithium batteries

Abstract

The vital issues of rechargeable lithium batteries widely used for everyday energy storage is being studied by many researchers to enhance the battery performance and safety. Graphene as well as cheaper and more accessible reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are known for high electrical conductivity, specific surface area and chemical stability. Providing thus high specific power and long cycle life, graphene and rGO in the form of porous frameworks like aerogels, foams, sponges (all denoted here as GA) have been successfully tested in electrodes of various types of lithium batteries. In this article, we review advances in synthesis and use of GA in high-performance electrode materials of lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium-sulfur (Li-S), and lithium-air (Li-O2) batteries. Published results on the specific capacity of the lithium-battery electrodes using GA, the effect of GA on the cycling stability, and methods to enhance the performance of Li-ion, Li-S and Li-O2 batteries using porous microstructure of GA are overviewed and discussed. Thus, we provide an in-depth summary on diverse promising approaches of significant breakthroughs in recent years and present strategies to choose porous graphene frameworks for the sustainable lithium-battery electrodes.