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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies
Published on: November 5, 2015
Derivitization of pristine graphene with well-defined chemical functionalities
Li-Hong Liu1, Michael M Lerner, Mingdi Yan
1Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, USA.
Researchers developed a straightforward method to covalently functionalize pristine graphene using perfluorophenylazide (PFPA). This photochemical or thermal process yields functionalized graphene soluble in various solvents, overcoming previous limitations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Pristine graphene lacks reactive sites, hindering covalent functionalization.
- Existing methods for graphene modification are often complex or inefficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and general method for covalently functionalizing pristine graphene.
- To introduce well-defined chemical functionalities onto graphene surfaces.
- To enhance the solubility and processability of graphene materials.
Main Methods:
- Solution-based processing of solvent-exfoliated graphene.
- Treatment with perfluorophenylazide (PFPA) under photochemical or thermal activation.
- Characterization of functionalized graphene properties.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved covalent functionalization of pristine graphene.
- Synthesized graphene derivatives with tunable solubility in organic solvents and water.
- Demonstrated the versatility of the perfluorophenylazide approach for graphene modification.
Conclusions:
- The reported method provides an accessible route for creating functionalized graphene.
- This technique overcomes the challenge of low reactivity in pristine graphene.
- The resulting functionalized graphene materials exhibit improved solubility for diverse applications.
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