A simple, versatile method for non‐covalent functionalization of graphene based on solution‐phase assembly of alkane‐amine layers is presented. Second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory on a cluster model (methylamine on pyrene) yields a binding energy of ≈220 meV for the amine–graphene interaction, which is strong enough to enable formation of a stable aminodecane layer at room temperature. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations on an assembly of 1‐aminodecane molecules indicate that a self‐assembled monolayer can form, with the alkane chains oriented perpendicular to the graphene basal plane. The calculated monolayer height (≈1.7 nm) is in good agreement with atomic force microscopy data acquired for graphene functionalized with 1‐aminodecane, which yield a continuous layer with mean thickness ≈1.7 nm, albeit with some island defects. Raman data also confirm that self‐assembly of alkane‐amines is a non‐covalent process, i.e., it does not perturb the sp2 hybridization of the graphene. Passivation and adsorbate n‐doping of graphene field‐effect devices using 1‐aminodecane, as well as high‐density binding of plasmonic metal nanoparticles and seeded atomic layer deposition of inorganic dielectrics using 1,10‐diaminodecane are also reported.

Metal meshes have emerged as an important class of flexible transparent electrodes. We report on the characteristics of a new class of asymmetric meshes, tiled using a recently discovered family of pentagons. Micron-scale meshes were fabricated on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates via optical lithography, metal evaporation (Ti 10 nm, Pt 50 nm), and lift-off. Three different designs were assessed, each with the same tessellation pattern and line width (5 μm), but with different sizes of the fundamental pentagonal unit. Good mechanical stability was observed for both tensile strain and compressive strain. After 1000 bending cycles, devices subjected to tensile strain showed fractional resistance increases in the range of 8-17%, while devices subjected to compressive strain showed fractional resistance increases in the range of 0-7%. The performance of the pentagonal metal mesh devices as visible transparent heaters via Joule heating was also assessed. Rapid response times (∼15 s) at low bias voltage (≤5 V) and good thermal resistance characteristics (213-258 °C cm/W) were found using measured thermal imaging data. Deicing of an ice-bearing glass coupon on top of the transparent heater was also successfully demonstrated.

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An investigation into the fabrication, electrochemical characterization, and development of a microelectrode array (MEA) immunosensor for aflatoxin M(1) is presented in this paper. Gold MEAs (consisting of 35 microsquare electrodes with 20 microm x 20 microm dimensions and edge-to-edge spacing of 200 microm) together with on-chip reference and counter electrodes were fabricated using standard photolithographic methods. The MEAs were then characterized by cyclic voltammetry, and the behavior of the on-chip electrodes were evaluated. The microarray sensors were assessed for their applicability to the development of an immunosensor for the analysis of aflatoxin M(1) directly in milk samples. Following the sensor surface silanization, antibodies were immobilized by cross-linking with 1,4-phenylene diisothiocyanate (PDITC). Surface characterization was conducted by electrochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay format was developed on the microarray electrode surface using the 3,3,5',5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihyrochloride (TMB)/H(2)O(2) electrochemical detection scheme with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the enzyme label. The performance of the assay and the microarray sensor were characterized in pure buffer conditions before applying to the milk samples. With the use of this approach, the detection limit for aflatoxin M(1) in milk was estimated to be 8 ng L(-1), with a dynamic detection range of 10-100 ng L(-1), which meets present legislative limits of 50 ng L(-1). The milk interference with the sensor surface was also found to be minimal. These devices show high potential for development of a range of new applications which have previously only been detected using elaborate instrumentation.