Three-dimensional (3D) graphene composites due their unique structures and properties attracted considerable attention for designing new materials for super-capacitors, energy storage, batteries, water purification, sensing devices and composites. This work presents an overview of the latest work by our group on the development of three-dimensional porous graphene materials with tailored micro-/nano architecture for environmental applications. The basic concepts will be described to design these materials based on combination of graphene with other micro and nanostructures including nanoparticles, porous silica and carbon nanotubes to tailor their meso and micro porosity to advance their adsorption properties for different environmental pollutants (oil, dyes, heavy metals etc). By controlling surface chemistry with specific functional groups across these 3-d architectures it was demonstrated that new 3D materials with outstanding properties (adsorption, conductive, sensing, energy storage, drug delivery) can be created. Our syntheses involve mainly natural materials as precursors (graphite, natural silica and nanoparticles) based on simple, scalable and non-hazardous procedures. Several outstanding examples on application these materials for adsorption contaminants from water (heavy metals, Hg, As), organic dyes, phosphates, oils), soil and waste remediation, self-cleaning surfaces, catalysis and sensing will be presented.

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene composites due their unique structures and properties attracted considerable attention for designing new materials for super-capacitors, energy storage, batteries, water purification, sensing devices and composites. This work presents an overview of the latest work by our group on the development of three-dimensional porous graphene materials with tailored micro-/nano architecture for environmental applications. The basic concepts will be described to design these materials based on combination of graphene with other micro and nanostructures including nanoparticles, porous silica and carbon nanotubes to tailor their meso and micro porosity to advance their adsorption properties for different environmental pollutants (oil, dyes, heavy metals etc). By controlling surface chemistry with specific functional groups across these 3-d architectures it was demonstrated that new 3D materials with outstanding properties (adsorption, conductive, sensing, energy storage, drug delivery) can be created. Our syntheses involve mainly natural materials as precursors (graphite, natural silica and nanoparticles) based on simple, scalable and non-hazardous procedures. Several outstanding examples on application these materials for adsorption contaminants from water (heavy metals, Hg, As), organic dyes, phosphates, oils), soil and waste remediation, self-cleaning surfaces, catalysis and sensing will be presented.