Hollow Few-Layer Graphene-Based Structures from Parafilm Waste for Flexible Transparent Supercapacitors and Oil Spill Cleanup

We
report a versatile strategy to exploit parafilm waste as a carbon
precursor for fabrication of freestanding, hollow few-layer graphene
fiber mesh (HFGM) structures without use of any gaseous carriers/promoters
via an annealing route. The freestanding HFGMs possess good mechanical
flexibility, tailorable transparency, and high electrical conductivity,
consequently qualifying them as promising electrochemical electrodes.
Because of the hollow spaces, electrolyte ions can easily access into
and contact with interior surfaces of the graphene fibers, accordingly
increasing electrode/electrolyte interfacial area. As expected, solid-state
supercapacitors based on the HFGMs exhibit a considerable enhancement
in specific capacitance (20–30 fold) as compared to those employing
chemical vapor deposition compact graphene films. Moreover, the parafilm
waste is found to be beneficial for one-step fabrication of nanocarbon/few-layer
graphene composite meshes with superior electrochemical performance,
outstanding superhydrophobic property, good self-cleaning ability,
and great promise for oil spill cleanup.