Electrochemistry of 2D-materials for the remediation of environmental pollutants and alternative energy storage/conversion materials and devices, a comprehensive review

This review article explores into the complicated relationship between electrochemistry and 2D materials, exploring their mutual influences and the consequential advancements in energy conversion, storage, and environmental applications. Electrochemical reactions, manifested through oxidations and reductions at submerged electrodes, form the linchpin connecting the electrochemistry of 2D materials with their practical utility. Various electrochemical cell topologies are investigated for their role in enhancing material flexibility, operational states, energy conversion efficiency, and device design adaptability. The comprehensive discussion extends to diverse applications, emphasizing the pivotal roles of 2D materials in environmental remediation, alternate energy storage and conversion, and chemical reactivity. Noteworthy applications include pollutant detection, adsorption and absorption of pollutants, elimination of both organic and inorganic pollutants, and photocatalytic degradation. The review also addresses materials synthesis via electrochemical processes, detailing functionalization, handling, and deposition techniques. Particular focus is directed towards local electrochemical techniques enabling the analysis and local alteration of 2D materials. Moreover, this paper concludes the article published in the recent years with this topic and most significant trends observed in 2022 and 2023 with electrochemistry of materials for the remediation of environmental pollutants. While the trends of article publishing increased from 2020 to 2023 with topic alternative energy storage/conversion materials. Finally, offering a comprehensive overview of the synergistic relationship between electrochemistry and 2D materials and their transformative potential in sustainable technologies. Broader context The decreasing availability of energy resources and the contamination of the environment are two significant worldwide concerns that need immediate attention. The focus on 2D materials and associated technologies is important for the efficient conversion of solar energy into chemical energy. These materials have diverse applications in fields such as energy (e.g., water splitting), synthesis (e.g., production of valuable chemicals and N2 reduction), and the environment (e.g., CO2 reduction and environmental remediation). Furthermore, Electrochemical energy storage and conversion (EESC) technologies are widely acknowledged as the most viable solutions to address the escalating energy crisis and environmental degradation because to their exceptional energy efficiency and little environmental footprint. Currently, there have been several reports discussing the use of 2D-materials in energy applications and wastewater treatment. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews that summarize the electrochemistry of 2D-materials, their preparation strategies, modification techniques, and related properties. Furthermore, there is a need for detailed analysis of the progress in applying 2D-materials for environmental pollution remediation, electrocatalytic performance, energy storage, and conversion technologies and devices. In this paper, we systematically and comprehensively review the electrochemistry of 2D-materials and innovatively analyze the design principles and difficulties of 2D-materials. We discussed comprehensively the remediation of environmental pollutants through 2D-materials in water treatment fields such as photocatylsts, adsorption/absorption and dyes removal as an entry point and provide an in-depth knowledge and outlook on the current status and development potential of specific applications of energy storage and conversion materials and devices.