Electrospinning has recognized as the most versatile and adaptable method for the fabrication of nanofibers. Fiber scientists have extensively introduced original solutions for harvesting and storing energy from nanofibers in order to improve storage capacity and environmental impact of electrospun supercapacitors, anodes, and cathodes. Among these efforts, graphene gained significant interests for researchers, a multifaceted molecule possessing many unique and desirable properties such as high strength, flexibility, optical transparency, and conductivity. This makes graphene as superior as to many other nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conductive nanometallic particles. The reported properties and applications of this two-dimensional (2D) structure have opened up new opportunities for the lightweight future devices and systems. This review article aims to present an overview of the advancements in graphene-based electrospun conductive nanofibers, supercapacitors, and graphene-based electrospun anodes and cathodes for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Details of the electrospinning processes, reduction methods, and electrical properties are discussed to yield insights on how significant improvements can be made in future developments.

Additives like ionic liquids (ILs) have proven to be excellent materials useful in improving the electrospinnability and conductivity of both synthetic and biopolymers. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM]Cl on the electrospinnability of cellulose acetate (CA). The results showed that [BMIM]Cl has the greater effect on viscosity and conductivity of the spinning solution while the morphology of the nanofibers significantly improved as the concentration of the IL increases from 0% to 12% (v/v) of [BMIM]Cl. To understand the interaction between CA and [BMIM]Cl, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been used. Observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that [BMIM]Cl significantly altered the morphology of the CA nanofibers and 12% (v/v) of [BMIM]Cl would be an ideal concentration producing uniform fibers with a mean diameter of 180nm. In addition, the membranes showed a significant increase in conductivity (from 0 to 2.21 × 10⁻⁷S/cm) as the concentration of ionic liquid increases up to 12% (v/v) that indicates a successful loading of IL inside the nanofibers.