In this critical review from the viewpoint of chemistry and materials we give a brief overview of the recent significant advances in the synthesis of graphene based nanomaterials and their applications in energy related areas and environmental pollution remediation areas including supercapacitors lithium ion batteries solar cells adsorption and degradation of organic inorganic . Since the late 20th century graphene a one atom thick planar sheet of sp2 bonded carbon atoms densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice has garnered appreciable attention as a potential next generation electronic material due to its exceptional properties these properties include high current density ballistic transport chemical inertness. Since the late 20 th century graphene a one atom thick planar sheet of sp 2 bonded carbon atoms densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice has garnered appreciable attention as a potential next generation electronic material due to its exceptional properties these properties include high current density ballistic transport chemical inertness high thermal conductivity optical transmittance and super hydrophobicity at nanometer scale. Graphene synthesis and applications wonbong choi jo won lee limited preview 2011 common terms and phrases absorption acs nano anode appl applications applied physics letters atoms balandin band gap biosensors bulk graphite carbon nanotubes carrier chem chemical vapor deposition chen cnts composite conductivity of graphene density detection devices doping dye sensitized solar cells edge