Introduction to Carbon Nanostructures: History, Classifications, and Recent Advances

In modern society, technological advances are inherently driving the high demand for efficient processes in various fields. In this light, carbon-based nanomaterials have been introduced as efficacious approaches to revolutionize the energy and materials industries, which provide more ecological and economic benefits in multiple domains. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the history and ongoing research on various carbon nanomaterials and their synthesis approaches, specifications, functionalization, as well as implementation in high-tech end uses. Carbon nanostructures are nanosized materials that have attracted the attention of many researchers over the years. They offer the potential for functionalization by copolymerization, surface modification, or combination with metals. This improves their overall performance and promotes their involvement in catalysis, water treatment, composites, electronics, biochemical sensors, etc. This literature assessment examines the diverse published outcomes regarding the historical involvement of different classes of carbon nanostructures, their characteristics, and their processing and performance in specific application areas. Our aim is to design a consequential relationship between the potential of structural modifications of carbon-based nanomaterials and their attributes, as well as to highlight futuristic perspectives and strategies to improve their valorization, and to describe the possibilities of large-scale production and industrial beatification.