Controlled Chemical Functionalization Of Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide is a promising nanomaterial thanks to its physicochemical characteristics. However, until today its exact composition remains still unknown. This is due to the complexity and non-stoichiometric character of this material.We started by investigating the surface composition of graphene oxide and its reactivity. We used differently synthesized samples to explore the relationship between the synthesis method and the surface composition. Furthermore, we functionalized graphene oxide with a chelating agent of radionuclides to study its biodistribution, and the impact of the lateral size. Afterwards, we tried different strategies for multifunctionalization with the aim to combine different properties. We observed that the dispersibility of graphene oxide often decreased after functionalization. Thus, we developed a highly water-stable graphene oxide sample by grafting awater-soluble polymer on its surface. Finally, we explored and improved the characterization methods for graphene oxide. Athorough investigation using different characterization techniques is fundamental to understand the modifications that the material underwent.

All set to become the standard reference on the topic, this book covers the most important procedures for chemical functionalization, making it an indispensable resource for all chemists, physicists, materials scientists and engineers entering or already working in the field. Expert authors share their knowledge on a wide range of different functional groups, including organic functional groups, hydrogen, halogen, nanoparticles and polymers.

This book discusses various aspects of graphene fictionalization strategies from inorganic oxides and organic moieties including preparation, design, and characterization of functionalization material and its applications. Including illustrations and tables summarizing the latest research on manufacturing, design, characterization and applications of graphene functionalization, it describes graphene functionalization using different techniques and materials and highlights the latest technologies in the field of manufacturing and design. This book is a valuable reference resource for lecturers, students, researchers and industrialists working in the field of material science, especially polymer composites.

There is an immense variety of research on polymer functionalized graphene (PFG). Functionalization of graphene is necessary for improvement of the compatibility with polymers. Applications of these graphene polymer hybrids include in chemical and biological sensing, photovoltaic devices, supercapacitors and batteries, dielectric materials and drug/gene delivery vehicles. This book will shed light on the synthesis, properties and applications of these new materials, covering two methods (covalent and noncovalent) for producing polymer functionalized graphene. Chapters cover physical, optical, mechanical and electronic properties, applications of polymer functionalized graphene in energy harvesting and storage, and uses in biomedicine and bioengineering. Written by an expert in the field, Polymer Functionalized Graphene will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in polymer chemistry and nanoscience.

In the future, many modern materials will be increasingly based on the assembly of preformed molecular entities. Their structural characteristics and functional prop- ties will be programmed at the molecular level and their formation as a completed entity will be achieved by self-assembly processes. This in essence is a bottom-up approach and its success will require a deep understanding not only of the chemistry of intermolecular interactions and associations but also of self-assembly processes in the condensed phase. Among various interesting innovations brought about by the development of supramolecular chemistry, supramolecular synthesis is a part- ularly powerful approach for the design and generation of molecular architectures displaying both structural and functional complexity. The combination of mol- ular synthesis (which allows chemists to design and prepare extremely sophis- cated biotic and abiotic molecules through the interconnection of atoms or group of atoms by strong covalent bonds) and supramolecular synthesis (which orch- trates the association of molecules by recognition processes through the use of weak and reversible interactions) opens up endless structural and functional possibilities. Following the perceptive observation by Dunitz that "A crystal is, in a sense, the supramolecule par excellence", molecular crystals may be seen as in'nite periodic architectures resulting from the interconnection of building blocks or tectons ca- ble of self-assembling through speci'c recognising events.

The superior electron carrier mobility, thermal conductivity, and mechanical properties of graphene have led to the rapid development of graphene-based applications for high speed electronics, chemical and biological sensing, optoelectronics, energy storage and conversion. However, the incorporation of graphene into these applications requires the precise connection of individual sheets at the molecular level with other materials where chemical interaction is significant. In this regard, the chemical functionalization of graphene has played a critical role in facilitating the integration of graphene into useful "building-blocks" or functional components in these applications. The functionalization of graphene can alter its electronic band structure, doping, and affinity for other organic, inorganic, and biological materials. The site specific functionalization of graphene is essential to modify the region-specific surface properties to gain specific characteristics required for particular applications and to covalently/non-covalently link graphene sheets of different properties together into various graphene-based devices. Controlled chemical modification could be a very useful approach to various multifunctional systems critical to applications such as nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, nanosensors, and nanoenergy systems. We describe a simple and effective modification method for functionalizing the two opposite surfaces of individual graphene sheets with different nanoparticles in either a patterned or non-patterned fashion. The asymmetric and patterned functionalization of graphene sheets with each of their two opposite surfaces attached by ZnO and Au NPs can serve as a platform upon which to build high performance electronics and photonic devices. In addition, we develop a novel approach for multicomponent symmetrical patterning metal/metal oxide nanoparticles on graphene involving region-specific plasma treatment, followed by region-selective substrate-enhanced electro-less deposition of Au nanoparticles and solution alkalization formation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. We demonstrated that metal and metal nanoparticle functionalized graphene can enhance the sensing capability and selectivity for vapors. A miniaturized gas sensor array based on graphene exhibiting great room-temperature sensing properties for various selective vapors and the potential for cost-effective graphene-based sensors was developed. These functionalization methods for spatial micro- and nanopatterning of graphene chemistry in both covalent and noncovalent functionalization schemes can be crucial for further the enhancement of graphene-based devices. Moreover, there is a pressing need to integrate graphene sheets into multidimensional and multifunctional systems with spatially well-defined configurations. The controlled assembly of graphene films still remains to be a challenge. Self-assembly has been recognized as an effective strategy for the bottom-up synthesis of 3D macrostructures using graphene sheets as building blocks. Here we report a novel, simplistic, and scalable methodology utilizing the Langmuir-Schaefer technique for the controlled transfer and assembly of graphene onto any substrate for hierarchical organization into large-scale multi-dimensional functional materials for diverse applications. This novel method of graphene assembly can lead to research and development of next generation of high performance materials and structures by providing a scientific rationale that will enable bold innovative concepts for engineered hybrid structures.

Properties and Functionalization of Graphene: Computational Chemistry Approaches, Volume 21 shows how computational chemistry can be used to explore molecular interactions when modeling and manipulating graphene's properties for varied applications. Sections compare results and experimental evidence, cover the experimental techniques employed in the functionalization of graphene and associated challenges, and delve into the properties of functionalized graphene. Under the guidance of its expert editor, this book shares insights from a global team of specialists, making it an authoritative, practical guide for all those studying, developing or applying graphene across a whole range of fields. Provides practical insights into the latest computational approaches used in modeling the properties of functionalized graphene Includes detailed methods and step-by-step guidance on key processes that are supported throughout with examples Highlights the electronic properties of functionalized graphene

Getting a deeper insight into the controlled chemical functionalization of graphene represents a pre-requisite essential for fully exploiting all the promising properties of this material. The central objective of this thesis is to resort to self-assembly in order to achieve a precise spatial organization of "active" functional groups on the graphene surface. In particular, these functionalities are meant to interact with graphene either by strong non-covalent interactions, inducing a local doping, or by a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)-tip activated chemical reaction, driving to the formation of a covalent bond. In a first part, we synthesized a tetrathiafulvalene and a hexaphenanthrocoronene derivative, chosen because of their potential electron donor capabilities towards epitaxial graphene grown on silicon carbide. In a second part, we synthesized a series of poly-phenyl or poly-phenyl-ethynyl derivatives, designed to present a radicalar (i.e. brominated precursors) or Diels-Alder (i.e. maleimide or anthracene functional groups) reactivity with graphene, by STM activation. STM and Raman studies have allowed assessing the self-assembling behaviour and reactivity of some of the synthetized derivatives.

This book focuses on a group of new materials labeled "graphene oxides." It provides a comprehensive overview of graphene oxide-based nanomaterials in terms of their synthesis, structures, properties, and extensive applications in catalysis, separation, filtration, energy storage and conversion. The book also covers emerging research on graphite oxides and the impact of the research on fundamental and applied sciences.

A comprehensive overview of the recent and state-of-the-art research on chemically derived graphene materials for different applications.