Covalent functionalization of graphene derivatives for novel carbon interfaces

Resumen

Graphene is an allotrope of carbon material with a unique set of properties. Since its discovery in 2004, the number of publications about this material grew significantly fast. In the first chapter of this work, a general introduction of these topics, an overview of this material and relevant characterization techniques are described. Chemical functionalization of graphene is a topic of paramount importance, because it allows for the fine-tuning of material’s chemical and physical properties. An additional challenge in graphene functionalization is the surface modification in a controlled way, in order to create novel carbon interfaces to introduce functional biomolecules, like DNA or proteins, which are commonly used in biosensors and bioelectronics. This work discusses the exploration of conventional routes for the preparation and functionalization of graphene, with special emphasis in the underexplored aryne cycloadditions. Besides, the selection of a suitable graphene material for the setting of an electrochemical functionalization of graphene electrodes with future application as biosensor platforms was performed. Moreover, the development of an early-stage essay biosensor of a modified graphene electrode for the electrochemical detection of oligonucleotides. By last, the study of a novel, fast and scalable non conventional functionalization under microwave irradiation that can solve common problems of the conventional modifications of carbon materials. The present results could open a range of possibilities for the scientific community, paving the way to new functionalization protocols with fast, efficient, large-scale and green procedures to obtain more user-friendly graphene materials and to create novel organic interfaces on diverse graphene derivatives for the manufacture of future biosensors and bioelectronic devices