Development and challenges of coal-based graphene family nanomaterials

Abstract Coal, a natural non-homogeneous polymer material, boasts a complex three-dimensional cross-linked network structure. Developing low-carbon processing methods and achieving clean utilization of coal are crucial challenges in today’s research landscape. In recent years, graphene and its derivatives, collectively known as graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs), have emerged as revolutionary multifunctional carbon nanomaterials due to their exceptional properties and vast application potential. The unique molecular characteristics of coal and its derivatives present a significant opportunity for the synthesis of GFNs. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the research progress made on coal-based GFNs to clarify their future development trajectory. This paper reviews the synthesis methods employed for coal-based GFNs and discusses the factors influencing this process. Moreover, the applications of coal-based GFNs in the fields of biomedicine, sensing, photo/electrocatalysis and energy storage are summarized and the challenges of coal-based GFNs are presented. Hopefully, this review can spark new ideas for clean production of coal and the design of coal-based functional materials.