Carbon nanomaterial–ionic liquid hybrids Review Article

Carbon nanomaterial–ionic liquid hybrids represent a very interesting class of materials because of their exceptional properties and potential use in a wide range of application fields. Their unique properties, arising from the synergistic combination of both components, can be exploited as elements of electrochemical and energy storage devices, as supports for catalysis and as nanofillers for polymeric composites. Owing to the specific interactions between ionic liquids (ILs) and carbon nanomaterials, the surface properties of the nanomaterials can be modified, leading to their improved dispersion in various media, thus providing an alternative solution to the most fundamental problem in processing of these materials. Since the discovery of bucky gel, the synthesis and processing methods of carbon nanotube–ionic liquid (CNT–IL) hybrids have been extensively studied. This review is aimed at giving an overview of the main synthetic routes and potential applications of CNT–IL hybrids. Graphene has lately emerged as a promising material, and received world-wide attention due to its exceptional properties. The synthesis of graphene-IL hybrids and the role of IL in the exfoliation process of graphene sheets are also discussed along with the potential applications of these new materials.