Abstract
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Colloidal carbon sphere nanoreactors have been explored extensively as
a class of versatile materials for various applications in energy storage,
electrochemical conversion, and catalysis, due to their unique properties
such as excellent electrical conductivity, high specific surface area, controlled
porosity and permeability, and surface functionality. Here, the latest updated
research on colloidal carbon sphere nanoreactor, in terms of both their
synthesis and applications, is summarized. Various synthetic strategies are
first discussed, including the hard template method, the soft template method,
hydrothermal carbonization, the microemulsion polymerization method, and
extension of the Stöber method. Then, the functionalization of colloidal carbon
sphere nanoreactors, including the nanoengineering of compositions and
the surface features, is discussed. Afterward, recent progress in the major
applications of colloidal carbon sphere nanoreactors, in the areas of energy
storage, electrochemical conversion, and catalysis, is presented. Finally, the
perspectives and challenges for future developments are discussed in terms
of controlled synthesis and functionalization of the colloidal carbon sphere
nanoreactors with tunable structure, and the composition and properties that
are desirable for practical applications.