Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide: Preparation, composites, and applications

The reduction of graphene oxide is one of the most important methods for the preparation of large-scale, high-quality, and low-cost graphene. Among various reduction methods, the electrochemical reduction has the advantages of eco-friendliness, high efficiency, energy-saving, and good controllability. The produced graphene, electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO), is grown in-situ on electrodes and can be directly used as an excellent electrode material. This review gives a comprehensive summary of ERGO and the electrochemical reduction of GO. After a brief introduction of the structure and conventional chemical reduction methods of GO, the two approaches of electrochemically reducing GO and the reduction mechanisms are discussed. The influence of experimental parameters on the reduction process and the properties of ERGO are then reviewed. Also, the fabrication of composites based on ERGO is summarized. Finally, the applications of ERGO and its composite materials in electroanalysis, energy conversion and storage, electrocatalysis, and other fields are demonstrated, and the remaining challenges in this field are discussed.