Surface Silanization of Graphene Oxide Under Mild Reaction Conditions

• Published in: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society Vol. 30; no. 11; pp. 2488 - 2499
• Main Authors: Serodre, Tiago, Oliveira, Norma, Miquita, Douglas, Ferreira, Max, Santos, Adelina, Resende, Valdirene, Furtado, Clascídia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Química 01.11.2019
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; graphene oxide; organosilanes; surface modification; 2D materials
• ISSN: 0103-5053; 1678-4790
• DOI: 10.21577/0103-5053.20190167

The functionalization of graphene oxide with organosilanes is an important strategy to yield graphene-silica composites as well as to create nanomaterials for use as reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites and corrosion-inhibiting coatings for metals, among other uses. However, depending on the reaction conditions used, the organosilanes tend to self-condense, encapsulating the graphene oxide in a silica-like layer which can impair its properties by hiding its real surface and two-dimensionality. In this paper we describe a facile route for the functionalization of commercial graphene oxide with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane using low concentrations and mild reaction conditions, and yielding amine and silanol surface-modified graphene nanohybrids while preserving its two-dimensional characteristics. The material obtained was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), potentiometric titration, thermogravimetric analysis and electronic microscopy, evidencing the covalent and superficial nature of the functionalization.