PhD ceremony Mr. X. Zhang: Graphene-based functional materials

PhD ceremony: Mr. X. Zhang

Dissertation: Graphene-based functional materials

Promotor(s): prof. B.L. Feringa, prof. B.J. van Wees, prof. W.R. Browne

Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Graphene-based functional materials have developed rapidly over the past decade. Preparation of high quality graphene flakes and precisely modulating the properties of graphene through functionalization are amongst the most challenging topics in graphene research. This thesis focused on the preparation of graphene dispersions, and also the functionalization of graphene (graphene dispersions and chemical vapor deposition grown graphene) using covalent and noncovalent supermolecular approaches. Firstly, a brief introduction on graphene, followed by a review on the preparation of graphene using solvent dispersion methods and its functionalization are discussed. The second part comprises the formation of dispersions of graphene in ethanol using a solvent exchange method, preparation of water dispersible graphene using a zwitterion cycloaddition reaction and graphene-porphyrin hybrid materials using one pot cycloaddition reactions. In the last part, large area chemical vapor deposition grown graphene was used as a template for the self-assembly of organic molecules, and the effect of the self- assembly molecules on graphene was also discussed.