Non-covalent functionalization of graphene with poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride: Effect of a non-ionic surfactant. (21st January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaur, Prabhsharan; Shin, Mun-Sik; Sharma, Neha; Kaur, Namarta; Joshi, Anjali; Chae, So-Ryong; Park, Jin-Soo; Kang, Moon-Sung; Sekhon, Satpal Singh
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 40:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 1541
• Page End: 1547
• Publication Date: 2015-01-21
• Subjects: Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.11.068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="abspara0010">Carbon based nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene etc) containing various hetero atoms are promising metal free catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells. We report the non-covalent functionalization of graphene with poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA), a polyelectrolyte containing nitrogen, using a very simple method. The addition of a non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) during functionalization has been observed to improve the interactions between graphene and PDDA. An up-shift in the position of G-peak in the Raman spectra, down-shift in the binding energy (B.E.) of N1s peak and an up-shift in the B.E. of C1s peak in XPS spectra have been observed due to an inter-molecular charge-transfer from carbon in graphene to nitrogen in PDDA, which get enhanced in the presence of Triton X-100. Graphene functionalized with PDDA also show good thermal stability. The addition of a non-ionic surfactant enhances the non-covalent functionalization of graphene with PDDA, which is desirable from applications point of view.</p> </sec> </abstract>