Functionalization of Graphene with Physisorbed Self-assembled Networks for Electronic Applications

Graphene is a promising material for future electronic applications. However, a prerequisite for the use of graphene in several electronic applications is the controlled and reproducible modification of its electronic and chemical properties. Among the different strategies for surface functionalization, physisorption of molecular adsorbates has as significant advance that it does not result in degradation of the charge carrier mobility. Despite this advantage, this approach has not been exploited to its full potential and the current, somewhat incoherent experimental protocols lack in uniformity and reproducibility due to random functionalization. Thus, demonstration of controlled and tunable functionalization of graphene using physisorbed self-assembled networks (SAMs) is the need of the hour. This dissertation aims to develop systematic functionalization protocols for controlled and reproducible functionalization of graphene employing a bottom-up approach that uses well-defined principles of molecular self-assembly at the graphene surface. A key aspect for both applications of the SAMs is the illustration of control over the functionalization process by modulating the surface density of active molecular units. We will employ graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) which holds the promise for future due to its low cost and mass producibility. The novelty and the significance of the present approach lies in the fact that despite its wider applicability, functionalization of CVD graphene using the favorable physisorption strategy is virtually unexplored.

Jaar van publicatie:2019

Toegankelijkheid:Open