**Author details**

(BN-GA) was fabricated by using the GO and ammonia boron trifluoride (NH3BF3) [96]. The

macroporous structure. BN-GAs were directly processed into thin electrodes without destroy‐ ing the 3D continuous frameworks and used in all-solid-state supercapacitors (ASSSs). Because of the unique structure and strong synergetic effects of nitrogen and boron co-doping, a specific capacitance of 62 F/g and energy density of 8.65 Wh/kg were obtained. 3D graphene aerogels with mesoporous silica frameworks (GA-SiO2) were fabricated by the hydrolysis of TEOS with graphene aerogel and CTAB as the soft template [97]. Graphene aerogel-mesoporous carbon

the GA-SiO2 followed by carbonization at 700°C for 3 h in argon. The as-prepared GA-MC

The dye-sensitized solar cells are among third generation photovoltaic devices that are costeffective and highly efficient. It consists of a mesoporous TiO2 photoanode with a dye to increase light absorption, a counter electrode (CE), and electrolyte. The CE should reduce redox species, which are used to regenerate the sensitizer after electron ejection. To increase the efficiency of DSSC, it is essential to select a CE material with low sheet resistance, high catalytic activity for the reduction of redox species, excellent chemical stability, and low cost. Recently, graphene-based CEs have been studied extensively as a potential cost-effective replacement

Compared with other graphene-based materials, functionalized or doped graphene exhibits exceptional electocatalytic activity. In 2012, Xu et al. prepared Hemin, an iron-containing porphyrin functionalized rGO by microwave irradiation [98]. The Hemin-rGO hybrid exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 2.45 %. Yen et al. [99] reported a nitrogen-doped graphene prepared using a hydrothermal method. The nitrogen-doped domains on the graphene surface act as electroactive sites, which have selectivity for redox species in the reduction reaction. The as-prepared nitrogen-doped graphene CE exhibited the PCE value of 4.75%. Xue et al. [100] managed to prepare 3D nitrogen-doped graphene foams with a nitrogen content of 7.6% freeze drying the GO foams followed by annealing at 800°C in ammonia/argon mixture for 1 h. Because of the high content of nitrogen, the PCE value of

In conclusion, owing to its high surface area, unique pore structure, and remarkable electro‐ chemical performances, porous graphene has attracted great attention in the fields of energy storage and conversion. However, there are several key issues, which need to be addressed. The precise control of pore size, pore morphology, and wall thickness is necessary for the assembly of hierarchically structured porous graphene materials. Introduction of different sizes of pores into graphene matrix is essential to produce porous graphene materials to obtain

exhibited a specific capacitance of 226 F/g when it was used as a supercapacitor.

/g was generated by infiltrating a sucrose solution into

/g with a

interconnected framework of graphene nanosheets had a surface area of 249 m2

(GA-MC) with a surface area of 295 m2

**3.4. Dye-sensitized solar cells**

20410 Recent Advances in Graphene Research

for platinum based CEs.

7.07% was obtained.

**4. Conclusion**

Kimal Chandula Wasalathilake, Godwin Ayoko and Cheng Yan\*

\*Address all correspondence to: c2.yan@qut.edu.au

School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
