A novel micro-mesostructured SiO₂/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by means of simple one-step hydrothermal method under acidic conditions using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and graphene oxide (GO) as the raw material. The nanocomposites were characterized by TEM, XRD, FT-IR, TG-DSC, and N₂ adsorption-desorption. The results showed that GO was partially reduced to RGO without adding any reducing agent and SiO₂ nanoparticles (ca. 10 nm) were uniformly anchored on the surface of RGO. The optimized composite contained 75 wt.% SiO₂ and possessed hierarchical micro-mesoporous structure with surface area of 676 m²/g. The adsorption performance of synthesized SiO₂/RGO samples was investigated by removal efficiency of Cr(VI) ions in wastewater. The Cr(VI) adsorption reached equilibrium in 30 min and 98.8% Cr(VI) adsorption efficiency was achieved at pH = 2 at 35°C. Stability tests showed that SiO₂ nanoparticles effectively prevented RGO from the restacking. The mechanisms of composite formation and for Cr(VI) adsorption were suggested.

A novel approach is developed to synthesize a nitrogen-doped porous Co₃O₄/anthracite-derived graphene (Co₃O₄/AG) nanocomposite through a combined self-assembly and heat treatment process using resource-rich anthracite as a carbonaceous precursor. The nanocomposite contains uniformly distributed Co₃O₄ nanoparticles with a size smaller than 8 nm on the surface of porous graphene, and exhibits a specific surface area (120 m²·g⁻¹), well-developed mesopores distributed at 3~10 nm, and a high level of nitrogen doping (5.4 at. %). These unique microstructure features of the nanocomposite can offer extra active sites and efficient pathways during the electrochemical reaction, which are conducive to improvement of the electrochemical performance for the anode material. The Co₃O₄/AG electrode possesses a high reversible capacity of 845 mAh·g⁻¹ and an excellent rate capacity of 587 mAh·g⁻¹. Furthermore, a good cyclic stability of 510 mAh·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 500 mA·g⁻¹ is maintained. Therefore, this work could provide an economical and effective route for the large-scale application of a Co₃O₄/AG nanocomposite as an excellent anode material in lithium-ion batteries.