Emerging carbon nanostructures in electrochemical processes

Carbonaceous materials have always played an important role in history of electrochemical processes, from the fabrication of solid electrodes to the development of porous matrixes in the conversion and storage of energy and chemicals. This book chapter provides a general overview of emerging carbon nanostructures potentially used in electrochemistry. One-dimensional carbon nanofilaments, such as carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, two-dimensional graphene, and three-dimensional materials, such as carbon gels and ordered mesoporous carbons, are reviewed. The chapter focuses on the physicochemical properties and synthesis methodologies of these carbon nanostructures together with their application to cutting-edge technologies for electrochemical energy conversion and storage, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, supercapacitors, or batteries. The major challenges and directions for future research are also discussed to guide the design of efficient carbon-based electrodes and catalysts for electrochemical devices.