Correlation on synthesis design and surface modification towards properties and applications of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanofibers based nanocomposites

Abstract With the recent advancement in nanoscience and nanotechnology, carbon nanomaterials have achieved great attention owing to their unique physico‐chemical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Amongst carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanofibers (CNF) depict a high surface‐to‐volume ratio, enhanced porosity, high mechanical strength, and low weight (light). Carbon nanofibers‐based nanocomposites (CNFN) have been developed for diverse applications. This review illustrates the recent progress in (a) the CNF synthesis via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or electrospinning, (b) their functionalization with metals and metal oxides nanoparticles, polymers, alloys, and (c) their applications in environmental, industrial, and biomedical domains. Moreover, this study will be helpful for readers to understand CNF production, including the latest trends and fabrication techniques to obtain efficient, cost‐effective, eco‐friendly CNFN, having enhanced surface area with maximum selectivity, reproducibility, and multi‐potential applications.