hide
Free keywords:
Advanced applications; Covalent functionalizations; Few-layer graphene; Functionalizations; Metal-free catalysts; Oxidation temperature; Oxygen reduction reaction; Surface oxygen functionality
Abstract:
Functionalization of graphene is fundamental to facilitating its
processing and offers a wide scope for advanced applications. Here we
demonstrate a facile, highly efficient and mild covalent
functionalization of graphene using HNO3 vapour. This results in
functionalized few-layer graphene (FLG) that is high in both quantity
and quality. We fully characterized the structure and defect level of
functionalized FLG by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution
transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results
from this analysis show the tunability of the surface oxygen
functionalities of FLG achieved through controlling the oxidation
temperature without affecting the major intrinsic properties of
graphene. This allows for further doping for applications, for example
with nitrogen as a metal-free catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction.
