The chemistry of graphene oxide is discussed in this critical review Particular emphasis is directed toward the synthesis of graphene oxide, as well as its structure Graphene oxide as a substrate for a variety of chemical transformations, including its reduction to graphene-like materials, is also discussed This review will be of value to synthetic chemists interested in this emerging field of materials science, as well as those investigating applications of graphene who would find a more thorough treatment of the chemistry of graphene oxide useful in understanding the scope and limitations of current approaches which utilize this material (91 references)

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The chemistry of graphene oxide

The carrier collection efficiency (ηc) and energy conversion efficiency (ηe) of polymer photovoltaic cells were improved by blending of the semiconducting polymer with C60 or its functionalized derivatives. Composite films of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) and fullerenes exhibit ηc of about 29 percent of electrons per photon and ηe of about 2.9 percent, efficiencies that are better by more than two orders of magnitude than those that have been achieved with devices made with pure MEH-PPV. The efficient charge separation results from photoinduced electron transfer from the MEH-PPV (as donor) to C60 (as acceptor); the high collection efficiency results from a bicontinuous network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions.

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Polymer photovoltaic cells : enhanced efficiencies via a network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions

There is intense interest in graphene in fields such as physics, chemistry, and materials science, among others. Interest in graphene's exceptional physical properties, chemical tunability, and potential for applications has generated thousands of publications and an accelerating pace of research, making review of such research timely. Here is an overview of the synthesis, properties, and applications of graphene and related materials (primarily, graphite oxide and its colloidal suspensions and materials made from them), from a materials science perspective.

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Graphene and Graphene Oxide: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Graphene sheets offer extraordinary electronic, thermal and mechanical properties and are expected to find a variety of applications. A prerequisite for exploiting most proposed applications for graphene is the availability of processable graphene sheets in large quantities. The direct dispersion of hydrophobic graphite or graphene sheets in water without the assistance of dispersing agents has generally been considered to be an insurmountable challenge. Here we report that chemically converted graphene sheets obtained from graphite can readily form stable aqueous colloids through electrostatic stabilization. This discovery has enabled us to develop a facile approach to large-scale production of aqueous graphene dispersions without the need for polymeric or surfactant stabilizers. Our findings make it possible to process graphene materials using low-cost solution processing techniques, opening up enormous opportunities to use this unique carbon nanostructure for many technological applications.

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Processable aqueous dispersions of graphene nanosheets

The interest in nanoscale materials stems from the fact that new properties are acquired at this length scale and, equally important, that these properties * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone, 404-8940292; fax, 404-894-0294; e-mail, mostafa.el-sayed@ chemistry.gatech.edu. † Case Western Reserve UniversitysMillis 2258. ‡ Phone, 216-368-5918; fax, 216-368-3006; e-mail, burda@case.edu. § Georgia Institute of Technology. 1025 Chem. Rev. 2005, 105, 1025−1102

Chemistry and properties of nanocrystals of different shapes.

Naked metallic and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were dissolved in organic solutions by derivatization with thionychloride and octadecylamine. Both ionic (charge transfer) and covalent solution-phase chemistry with concomitant modulation of the SWNT band structure were demonstrated. Solution-phase near-infrared spectroscopy was used to study the effects of chemical modifications on the band gaps of the SWNTs. Reaction of soluble SWNTs with dichlorocarbene led to functionalization of the nanotube walls.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/282/5386/95.full.pdf

Solution Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

THE synthesis of macroscopic amounts of C60 and C70 (fullerenes)1 has stimulated a variety of studies on their chemical and physical properties2,3. We recently demonstrated that C60 and C70 become conductive when doped with alkali metals4. Here we describe low-temperature studies of potassium-doped C60 both as films and bulk samples, and demonstrate that this material becomes superconducting. Superconductivity is demonstrated by microwave, resistivity and Meissner-effect measurements. Both polycrystalline powders and thin-film samples were studied. A thin film showed a resistance transition with an onset temperature of 16 K and essentially zero resistance near 5 K. Bulk samples showed a well-defined Meissner effect and magnetic-field-dependent microwave absorption beginning at 18 K. The onset of superconductivity at 18 K is the highest yet observed for a molecular superconductor.

/pdf/superconductivity-at-18-k-in-potassium-doped-c60-30fq0lzflp.pdf

Superconductivity at 18 K in potassium-doped C60

In this Account we highlight the experimental evidence in favor of our view that carbon nanotubes should be considered as a new macromolecular form of carbon with unique properties and with great potential for practical applications. We show that carbon nanotubes may take on properties that are normally associated with molecular species, such as solubility in organic solvents, solution-based chemical transformations, chromatography, and spectroscopy. It is already clear that the nascent field of nanotube chemistry will rival that of the fullerenes.

Chemistry of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Covalent derivatization of the acidic functional groups in oxidized graphite with octadecylamine renders graphite soluble in common organic solvents. Atomic force microscopic characterization of the soluble species supports the idea that the solutions consist of single and few layer graphene sheets, and we report the first solution properties of graphite.

Solution Properties of Graphite and Graphene

Natural graphite was intercalated, thermally exfoliated, and dispersed in acetone to prepare graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs, Gn) of controlled aspect ratio. Thermal conductivity measurements indicate that few graphene layer Gn, where n ∼ 4, with a thickness of ∼2 nm function as a very efficient filler for epoxy composites. When embedded in an epoxy matrix, the G4 GNPs provide a thermal conductivity enhancement of more than 3000% (loading of ∼25 vol %), and a thermal conductivity κ = 6.44 W/mK, which surpasses the performance of conventional fillers that require a loading of ∼70 vol % to achieve these values. We attribute the outstanding thermal properties of this material to a favorable combination of the high aspect ratio, two-dimensional geometry, stiffness, and low thermal interface resistance of the GNPs.

Robert C. Haddon

Papers

Solution Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Superconductivity at 18 K in potassium-doped C60

Chemistry of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Solution Properties of Graphite and Graphene

Graphite Nanoplatelet−Epoxy Composite Thermal Interface Materials