Functionalised graphene

Abstract

Graphene is chemically modified by a process resulting in the introduction of functional groups located only at an edge of the graphene plane. The functionalised graphene finds uses in numerous applications and further chemical synthesis, including a process for coupling an organic or inorganic moiety to the graphene plane via the edge-located functional group. The disclosed products and processes provide highly flexible platforms for the integration of graphene into a variety of applications.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . Functionalised graphene comprising at least one functional group covalently bonded directly to an edge of a graphene plane, wherein the functional group is only selected from the group consisting of —NO 2 , —NH 2 , —SO 3 H, halide, —N 3 , —MgBr and —SH, and wherein the functional group is only bound to an edge of the graphene plane. 
     
     
         37 . Functionalised graphene as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the functional group is selected from the group consisting of halide, —N 3  and —MgBr. 
     
     
         38 . Functionalised graphene as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the functional group is selected from the group consisting of —NO 2 , —NH 2 , —SO 3 H and —SH. 
     
     
         39 . Functionalised graphene as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the graphene comprises a plurality of functional groups. 
     
     
         40 . Functionalised graphene as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of functional groups are identical. 
     
     
         41 . A graphene conjugate, wherein the graphene conjugate is formed by reaction of at least one organic or inorganic moiety with the at least one functional group of the functionalised graphene of  claim 37 . 
     
     
         42 . A graphene conjugate comprising at least one organic or inorganic moiety covalently attached to the at least one functional group of the functionalised graphene as claimed in  39 . 
     
     
         43 . The graphene conjugate as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the at least one organic or inorganic moiety is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, proteins, antibodies, carbohydrates, polymers, nanoparticles, metals, chelators, nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, aptamers, fluorophores, metal oxides, biologically active compounds or biomarkers. 
     
     
         44 . The graphene conjugate as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the at least one organic or inorganic moiety is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates and nanoparticles. 
     
     
         45 . The graphene conjugate as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the at least one organic or inorganic moiety is a gold nanoparticle. 
     
     
         46 . The graphene conjugate as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the at least one organic or inorganic moiety is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide. 
     
     
         47 . A process for the preparation of a graphene conjugate, the process comprising the steps of:
 (a) preparing a sample of functionalised graphene;   (b) reacting the functionalised graphene with at least one organic or inorganic moiety such that the organic or inorganic moiety is covalently attached to the graphene via one or more of the functional groups present on the functionalised graphene; and   (c) isolating the graphene conjugate.   
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 47 , wherein step (b) is performed in at least one aqueous or organic solvent. 
     
     
         49 . The process of  claim 47 , wherein step (b) is performed over a period of 0.1-48 hours. 
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 47 , wherein step (c) comprises separating the graphene conjugate from one or more residual reagents, followed by washing the separated graphene conjugate with at least one solvent. 
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 50 , wherein the graphene conjugate is separated by filtration. 
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 50 , wherein step (c) further comprises the step of drying the washed functionalised graphene conjugate in a stream of inert gas. 
     
     
         53 . The process of  claim 47 , wherein step (b) comprises contacting the functionalised graphene with gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         54 . The process of  claim 47 , wherein step (b) comprises contacting the functionalised graphene with a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide.