Functionalization Techniques for Graphene and Carbon Nanomaterials

Graphene and related carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and graphene nanoplatelets offer exceptional mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. However, their practical deployment often demands the modulation of surface chemistry to improve dispersibility, tailor electronic structure or introduce specific chemical functionalities. Broadly, functionalization approaches fall into covalent and noncovalent strategies. Covalent functionalization involves the attachment of functional groups directly to the carbon lattice, typically via diazonium chemistry, cycloaddition reactions or radical processes, enabling robust modification of surface energy and electronic band structure. Noncovalent methods exploit π–π stacking, van der Waals interactions or polymer wrapping to preserve the basal-plane conjugation and intrinsic conductivity. Advances have focused on spatial control—distinguishing edge, defect or basal-plane modifications—alongside the development of click reactions and inverse electron-demand cycloadditions. These techniques underpin diverse applications including high‐performance composites, electrochemical energy storage, chemical and biological sensing platforms, and biocompatible scaffolds.

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Functionalization Techniques for Graphene and Carbon Nanomaterials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in functionalization techniques for graphene and carbon nanomaterials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Covalent functionalisation: Attachment of functional groups via permanent chemical bonds to the carbon framework, altering electronic and surface properties.

Noncovalent functionalisation: Surface modification through weak interactions such as π–π stacking or van der Waals forces, preserving the intrinsic conjugated network.

Azide chemistry: Covalent strategy employing azide groups to form reactive nitrenes or participate in click reactions for grafting onto carbon scaffolds.

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition: Reaction between a 1,3-dipole and a dipolarophile that yields a five-membered ring, enabling precise covalent attachment.

Inverse Diels–Alder cycloaddition: Cycloaddition in which electron-deficient dienes (e.g. tetrazines) react with electron-rich dienophiles to introduce functional crosslinks.

References

1. Highly Conductive Aromatic Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube for Inkjet Printable High Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes. PLOS ONE (2015).
2. Functionalization of carbon nanotubes and other nanocarbons by azide chemistry. Nano-Micro Letters (2010).
3. Covalent organic functionalization of graphene nanosheets and reduced graphene oxide via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide. Nanoscale Advances (2021).
4. Functionalization and Crosslinking of Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets by Multiple Tetrazine Units to Improve the Energy Storage in Supercapacitors. ChemElectroChem (2023).