The chemistry of graphene oxide is discussed in this critical review. Particular emphasis is directed toward the synthesis of graphene oxide, as well as its structure. Graphene oxide as a substrate for a variety of chemical transformations, including its reduction to graphene-like materials, is also discussed. This review will be of value to synthetic chemists interested in this emerging field of materials science, as well as those investigating applications of graphene who would find a more thorough treatment of the chemistry of graphene oxide useful in understanding the scope and limitations of current approaches which utilize this material (91 references).

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Herein we propose a new structure for poly(dopamine), a synthetic eumelanin that has found broad utility as an antifouling agent. Commercially available 3-hydroxytyramine hydrochloride (dopamine HCl) was polymerized under aerobic, aqueous conditions using tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) as a basic polymerization initiator, affording a darkly colored powder product upon isolation. The polymer was analyzed using a variety of solid state spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques. Collectively, the data showed that in contrast to previously proposed models, poly(dopamine) is not a covalent polymer but instead a supramolecular aggregate of monomers (consisting primarily of 5,6-dihydroxyindoline and its dione derivative) that are held together through a combination of charge transfer, π-stacking, and hydrogen bonding interactions.

There has been an intense surge in interest in graphene during recent years. However, graphene-like materials derived from graphite oxide were reported in 1962, and related chemical modifications of graphite were described as early as 1840. In this detailed account of the fascinating development of the synthesis and characterization of graphene, we hope to demonstrate that the rich history of graphene chemistry laid the foundation for the exciting research that continues to this day. Important challenges remain, however; many with great technological relevance.

We report a high-performance supercapacitor incorporating a poly(ionic liquid)-modified reduced graphene oxide (PIL:RG-O) electrode and an ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte (specifically, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide or EMIM-NTf(2)). PIL:RG-O provides enhanced compatibility with the IL electrolyte, thereby increasing the effective electrode surface area accessible to electrolyte ions. The supercapacitor assembled with PIL:RG-O electrode and EMIM-NTf(2) electrolyte showed a stable electrochemical response up to 3.5 V operating voltage and was capable of yielding a maximum energy density of 6.5 W·h/kg with a power density of 2.4 kW/kg. These results demonstrate the potential of the PIL:RG-O material as an electrode in high-performance supercapacitors.

Our understanding of the fundamental structure and bonding of graphene oxide (GO) as well as the scope of its utility have grown tremendously over the past decade. As a result, the pace of research efforts directed toward this carbon material continues to increase. Contemporary application now intersects a variety of disciplines and includes heterogeneous catalysis, flow reactor technologies, biomedicine and biotechnology, polymer composites, energy storage, and chemical sensors. Advances in these areas have been buoyed by improvements in the methods used to synthesize and characterize GO, as well as functionalized derivatives thereof. While the diverse uses of GO have been reviewed previously, herein we provide an overview of some of the most recent and significant developments in the field. A brief overview of GO's synthesis and characterization is also provided as well as several recently proposed structural models. The inherent reactivity of GO is described in the context of catalysis, and the utilization of GO's reactive oxygen groups and carbon framework to prepare functionalized derivatives is also discussed. Finally, we provide an outlook of potential areas where GO, its derivatives, and related materials may be expected to find utility or opportunity for further growth and study.

Polymeric membranes are an energy-efficient means of purifying water, but they suffer from fouling during filtration. Modification of the membrane surface is one route to mitigating membrane fouling, as it helps to maintain high levels of water productivity. Here, a series of common techniques for modification of the membrane surface are reviewed, including surface coating, grafting, and various treatment techniques such as chemical treatment, UV irradiation, and plasma treatment. Historical background on membrane development and surface modification is also provided. Finally, polydopamine, an emerging material that can be easily deposited onto a wide variety of substrates, is discussed within the context of membrane modification. A brief summary of the chemistry of polydopamine, particularly as it may pertain to membrane development, is also described.

A method for growing polymers directly from the surface of graphene oxide is demonstrated. The technique involves the covalent attachment of an initiator followed by the polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, or butyl acrylate using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The resulting materials were characterized using a range of techniques and were found to significantly improve the solubility properties of graphene oxide. The surface-grown polymers were saponified from the surface and also characterized. Based on these results, the ATRP reactions were determined to proceed in a controlled manner and were found to leave the structure of the graphene oxide largely intact.