Controlled functionalization of graphene oxide with sodium azide

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) is a versatile material with numerous applications.
• GO contains thermally unstable functional groups that limit its processing and applications.
• Developing methods to functionalize GO while preserving these groups is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first successful azide functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) surfaces.
• To demonstrate a mild reaction condition that preserves thermally unstable groups in GO.
• To elucidate the reaction mechanism of azide functionalization on GO.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state reaction between graphene oxide and sodium azide.
• Characterization using (15)N solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
• Utilizing other complementary spectroscopic methods for analysis.

Main Results:

• Achieved the first example of azide functionalization on graphene oxide surfaces.
• The mild, solid-state reaction conditions successfully preserved thermally unstable groups.
• Experimental evidence indicates organosulfate groups are substituted by azide anions.

Conclusions:

• Azide functionalization of graphene oxide is feasible under mild, solid-state conditions.
• This method offers a pathway to create functionalized graphene oxide with enhanced stability.
• The reaction mechanism involves the substitution of organosulfate moieties by azide anions.