Abstract Graphene is an advanced carbon functional material with inherent unique properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. It can be synthesized through either the top–down approach involving delamination of graphitic materials or the bottom–up approach involving graphene assembly from smaller building units. Common top–down approaches are exfoliation and reduction while bottom–up approaches include chemical vapour deposition, epitaxial growth, and pyrolysis. A range of materials have been successfully used as precursors in various synthesis methods to derive graphene. This review analyses and discusses the suitability of conventional, plant- and animal-derived, chemical, and fossil precursors for graphene synthesis. Together with its associated technical feasibility and economic and environmental impacts, the quality of resultant graphene is critically assessed and discussed. After evaluating the parameters mentioned above, the most appropriate synthesis method for each precursor is identified. While graphite is currently the most common precursor for graphene synthesis, several other precursors have the potential to synthesize graphene of comparable, if not better, quality and yield. Thus, this review provides an overview and insights into identifying the potential of various carbon precursors for large-scale and commercial production of fit-for-purpose graphene for specific applications.

中文翻译：

---

石墨烯的合成：潜在的碳前体和方法

摘要 石墨烯是一种先进的碳功能材料，其固有的独特性能使其适用于广泛的应用。它可以通过涉及石墨材料分层的自上而下的方法或涉及从较小的构建单元组装石墨烯的自下而上的方法来合成。常见的自上而下的方法是剥离和还原，而自下而上的方法包括化学气相沉积、外延生长和热解。一系列材料已成功用作各种合成方法中的前体以衍生石墨烯。这篇综述分析和讨论了传统的、植物和动物来源的、化学的和化石前体在石墨烯合成中的适用性。连同其相关的技术可行性和经济和环境影响，对所得石墨烯的质量进行了严格的评估和讨论。在评估上述参数后，确定了最适合每种前体的合成方法。虽然石墨是目前最常见的石墨烯合成前体，但其他几种前体有可能合成质量和产量相当甚至更好的石墨烯。因此，这篇综述提供了一个概述和见解，以确定各种碳前体在大规模和商业化生产适合特定应用的适合用途图方面的潜力。其他几种前体有可能合成质量和产量相当甚至更好的图表。因此，这篇综述提供了一个概述和见解，以确定各种碳前体在大规模和商业化生产适合特定应用的适合用途图方面的潜力。其他几种前体有可能合成质量和产量相当甚至更好的图表。因此，这篇综述提供了一个概述和见解，以确定各种碳前体在大规模和商业化生产适合特定应用的适合用途图方面的潜力。