Non-covalent functionalization of graphene using self-assembly of alkane-amines

Brenda Long, Mary Manning, Micheal Burke, Bartholomaeus N. Szafranek, Giuseppe Visimberga, Damien Thompson, James C. Greer, Ian M. Povey, John MacHale, Guaylord Lejosne, Daniel Neumaier, Aidan J. Quinn

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A simple, versatile method for non-covalent functionalization of graphene based on solution-phase assembly of alkane-amine layers is presented. Second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory on a cluster model (methylamine on pyrene) yields a binding energy of ≈220 meV for the amine-graphene interaction, which is strong enough to enable formation of a stable aminodecane layer at room temperature. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations on an assembly of 1-aminodecane molecules indicate that a self-assembled monolayer can form, with the alkane chains oriented perpendicular to the graphene basal plane. The calculated monolayer height (≈1.7 nm) is in good agreement with atomic force microscopy data acquired for graphene functionalized with 1-aminodecane, which yield a continuous layer with mean thickness ≈1.7 nm, albeit with some island defects. Raman data also confirm that self-assembly of alkane-amines is a non-covalent process, i.e., it does not perturb the sp 2 hybridization of the graphene. Passivation and adsorbate n-doping of graphene field-effect devices using 1-aminodecane, as well as high-density binding of plasmonic metal nanoparticles and seeded atomic layer deposition of inorganic dielectrics using 1,10-diaminodecane are also reported. A simple, versatile method for non-covalent functionalization of graphene based on solution-phase assembly of alkane-amine layers is presented. For 1-aminodecane, the calculated monolayer height from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations is in good agreement with atomic force microscopy data, suggesting formation of a self-assembled monolayer. Passivation and adsorbate n-doping of graphene field-effect devices using 1-aminodecane is also reported.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)717-725
Number of pages9
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Feb 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alkane-amine layers
  • atomic layer deposition
  • field-effect devices
  • graphene
  • self-assembled monolayers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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