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Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies
Published on: November 5, 2015
Exfoliation and chemical modification using microwave irradiation affording highly functionalized graphene
Solon P Economopoulos1, Georgios Rotas, Yasumitsu Miyata
1Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research, Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
ACS Nano
|November 18, 2010
Summary
Researchers created functionalized graphene hybrid materials using benzylamine exfoliation and Bingel reactions. These materials, including an electro-active tetrathiafulvalene derivative, show potential for electronic applications due to their unique redox properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Graphene's unique properties make it a promising material for advanced applications.
- Chemical modification is crucial for tailoring graphene's functionality.
- Developing stable, functionalized graphene derivatives is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient method for producing few-layer graphene.
- To chemically functionalize graphene with cyclopropanated malonate units.
- To synthesize and characterize an extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF)-graphene hybrid material.
Main Methods:
- Efficient exfoliation of graphite flakes in benzylamine via sonication.
- Chemical modification of graphene using Bingel reaction conditions and microwave irradiation.
- Characterization using spectroscopic, thermal, gravimetric, and electron microscopy techniques.
- Synthesis of an exTTF-bearing malonate derivative for graphene functionalization.
- Electrochemical determination of redox potentials and energy gap calculation.
Main Results:
- Stable suspensions of few-layer graphene were obtained.
- Highly functionalized graphene-based hybrid materials with covalently grafted cyclopropanated malonate units were produced.
- The exTTF-graphene hybrid material showed the presence of sulfur (verified by EDX).
- Redox potentials were determined, and a radical ion pair formation was suggested with a calculated energy gap of 1.23 eV.
Conclusions:
- Benzylamine-assisted sonication provides efficient graphene exfoliation.
- Bingel reaction under microwave irradiation is effective for graphene functionalization.
- The synthesized exTTF-graphene hybrid material exhibits interesting electrochemical properties, suggesting potential for electronic device applications.
