Tailoring Graphene Oxide: steps ahead in the functionalization and characterization approach

Graphene oxide is now regarded as a cornerstone for the development of hybrid materials. This is due to three pivotal properties: high dispersibility in polar solvents, potential for both covalent and non covalent functionalization and ease of reduction to restore graphene-like properties. Its peculiar structural motifs and its outstanding properties contribute to its versatile chemistry making GO a prominent nanomaterial across various fields [1,2]. Given its complex structure and reactivity, an in-depth characterization of GO-based materials at each synthetic step is mandatory to enable an informed approach to their functionalization. In this work various amination pathways, employing ethylenediamine and γ-aminobutyric acid, and purification procedures will be presented with a complete characterization at each stage. The reaction proposed exploits the reactivity of epoxide rings, highly abundant in its basal plane, giving an important benchmark for the study of GO. The analytical framework includes techniques such as XPS, solid-state NMR, UV Vis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, CV and AFM. This approach enabled a comprehensive understanding of structure–property relationships, paving the way for the rational design of GO-based materials with tailored properties for materials science applications. Acknowledgement: Research funded by Sapienza University of Rome with “Bando Ricerca Scientifica 2024 - Avvio alla Ricerca” References: [1] Amato F., Fazi M., Giaccari L., Colecchia S., Perini G., Palmieri V., Papi M., Altimari P., Motta A., Giustini M., Zanoni R., Marrani A.G., Nanotechnology, 36, 185602 (2025) [2] Guo S., Garaj S., Bianco A., Ménard-Moyon C., Nat. Rev. Phys., 4, 247-262 (2022)