Chemically Modified Graphenes: Chemistry and Applications

During the last half decade, chemically modified graphene (CMG) has been studied in the wide range of applications, such as polymer composites, energy-related materials, sensors, 'paper'-like materials, field-effect transistors (FET), inks, actuators, and biomedical applications due to its excellent electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Chemical modification of graphene oxide, which is generated from graphite oxide, which is produced by simple oxidation of graphite, has been a promising route to achieve mass production of CMG platelets via their colloidal suspensions. Graphene oxide contains a range of reactive oxygen functional groups, which renders it a good candidate for use in the aforementioned applications (among others) through chemical functionalizations. In this presentation, I will discuss my recent research activities on the fundamental chemistry of graphite oxide, as well as novel applications based on CMGs. Topics will include the chemical structure of CMGs and colloidal suspensions of CMG platelets, as well as a wide variety of applications.