Defect engineering in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for a smart design of fuel-cell supports has become an effective approach to improve the restricted two-dimensional (2D) mass and charge transfer and to boost the alcohol oxidation reaction. The present mini-review describes recent trends across prominent characteristics of tailored reduced graphene oxides, which include but are not restricted to, engineered three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures for better mass transport, tuned electron/hole conduction for easier electrical transport, and hybridized surfaces for high electrocatalytic activity. Special focus fixes upon the experimental progress on defect engineering, from three-dimensional structure assembly to surface metal complexation and heteroatom doping to size-controlled defect formation. Given their crucial impact on reduced graphene oxide properties, controlled methods for synthesis, and processing offer considerable promise toward next-generation carbon nanomaterials for electrocatalysis.
Part of the book: Graphene Oxide