Functional Graphene by Thiol-ene Click Chemistry

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 21; no. 8; pp. 3183 - 3186
• Main Authors: Luong, Nguyen Dang, Sinh, Le Hoang, Johansson, Leena-Sisko, Campell, Joseph, Seppälä, Jukka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 16.02.2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Chemical bonds; Chemical modification; Chemical reactions; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Communication; Communications; Cysteamine; Dispersions; Ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; Ethylene glycol; Graphene; Hydrochlorides; Nanocomposites; nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Organic chemistry; Platinum; Protective coatings; Sodium; Sodium hydroxide; Synthesis (chemistry); thiol-ene reactions; platinum; nanomaterials; thiol-ene reactions; chemical modification; graphene
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201405734

Thiol‐ene click reaction was successfully employed for chemical modification of graphene oxide (GO) by one‐step synthesis. Herein, 2,2‐azobis(2‐methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) was used as thermal catalyst and cysteamine hydrochloride (HS−(CH2)2−NH2HCl) was used as thiol‐containing compound, which is incorporated to GO surface upon reaction with the C=C bonds. The hydrochloride acts as protecting group for the amine, which is finally eliminated by adding sodium hydroxide. The modified GO contains both S‐ and N‐containing groups (NS‐GO). We found that NS‐GO sheets form good dispersion in water, ethanol, and ethylene glycol. These graphene dispersions can be processed into functionalized graphene film. Besides, it was demonstrated that NS‐GO was proved to be an excellent host matrix for platinum nanoparticles. The developed method paves a new way for graphene modification and its functional nanocomposites. Chemical modification: Thiol‐ene click reaction was employed for modification of graphene oxide (GO) by a one‐step synthesis (see figure). Cysteamine hydrochloride, a thiol‐containing compound, was incorporated into GO upon direct reaction with the C=C bonds. The modified GO formed good dispersions in water, ethanol, and ethylene glycol, leading to improved processibility. Besides, the graphene was used as an excellent host matrix for platinum nanoparticles.