Fluorinated carbons (CFX): Promising functional materials for energy applications

As a special kind of carbonaceous materials derivative, fluorinated carbon compounds (CFx), composed of carbon elements and fluorinate elements, hold varieties of excellent physicochemical characteristics due to the existence of abundant and unique polar C–F bonds in its structure. For instance, high electrochemical activity of CFx originated from breaking of C–F bonds have made it exhibit extensive applications in electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices; convenient adjustable bandgap and band structures achieved by tuning fluorination degree and changing carbon sources may also make it show great potential in the energy fields of catalysis and solar cells, etc. In this review, we provide a brief summarization of the recent research progress of CFx materials. Specifically, related synthesis, structures, properties and corresponding application for batteries of CFx are presented. Besides, its potential feasibility in other energy fields of aqueous battery technology, catalysis and solar cells are also discussed. Furtherly, the potential challenges and future opportunities are pointed out. [Display omitted] As a thriving member of the carbonaceous derivative, fluorinated carbon (CFx) material possesses various excellent properties and show great potential applications in the area of energy-related fields. •CFx is one of the most important member of carbonaceous materials derivative.•CFx holds excellent properties due to its unique polar C–F bonds structure.•CF1.0 exhibits the theoretical capacity of 865 mAh/g in Li/CFx batteries.•CFx display potential application for energy-related fields.