Recent progresses in application of functionalized graphene sheets

Abstract

Graphene, a rapidly rising star on the horizon of material science, has a unique two-dimensional nanostructure as well as exceptional mechanical and electronic properties. Despite its short history, graphene has exhibited great potential in various applications. In order to implement the potential applications, functionalization of graphene is necessary to obtain uniform dispersions for good processability. Two kinds are dominant for functionalization such as covalent and non-covalent methods. The former is based on the formation of covalent bonds, and the latter the interaction among molecules. In this review, we summarized briefly the recent progress of functionalized graphene sheets (FGs) in different fields, such as optoelectronic materials, sensors, energy storage materials, catalytic, reinforcing components and so on, and also prospected the development trend of FGs in the future. © 2010 Science China Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.