Synthesis, properties and applications of 3D carbon nanotube–graphene junctions

Integration of 1D carbon nanotubes and 2D graphene sheets through covalent bonding can create novel 3D nanoporous hybrid nanostructures that inherit unique mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical properties of their building blocks and even have new properties in three dimensions. Great progress has been made in developing 3D carbon nanotube–graphene nanoarchitectures for various applications such as mechanical cushions, thermal sinkers, transistors, and renewable energy conversion. This review presents the recent advances in synthesis and analysis of the 3D nanostructures. Emphasis is put on design principles, molecular structures, processes and properties of the materials. (topical review)