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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2014 pp 218-221

Research Article

Covalent surface modification of graphene using photosensitive functional group

Deepshikha

Academic Editor: Dr. Aher K. R.

Abstract

Graphene (GR) attracts increasing attention due to its unique physical and chemical properties, thus potential applications in optics and electronics. However the gapless band structure greatly limits its wide applications in optoelectronic devices. Surface functionalization proves to be an effective method to tune the properties of graphene. In this study, hybrid GR materials with enhanced properties were achieved through GR surface functionalization by using aryl diazonium salts of photosensitive azobenzene. We found that conformational transition from trans to cis states of azobenzenes induces hole-doping in graphene through charge transfer. Significantly different from the pristine graphene, the graphene-azobenzene hybrids exhibited strong photoisomerization of azobenzene between cis and trans forms under UV and visible light illumination. The large photoresponse obtained from the functionalized GR could be ascribed to the rigid chemical environment with azobenzene moieties chemically bonded onto the GR surface. Such surface-functionalized GR hybrids with unique optical properties position them as promising materials for optoelectronic devices.