Edge state magnetism of single layer graphene nanostructures

We study edge state magnetism in graphene nanostructures using a mean field theory of the Hubbard model. We investigate how the magnetism of the zigzag edges of graphene is affected by the presence of other types of terminating edges and defects. By a detailed study of both regular shapes, such as polygonal nanodots and nanoribbons, and irregular shapes, we conclude that the magnetism in zigzag edges is very robust. Our calculations show that the zigzag edges that are longer than three to four repeat units are always magnetic, irrespective of other edges, regular or irregular. We, therefore, clearly demonstrate that the edge irregularities and defects of the bounding edges of graphene nanostructures do not destroy the edge state magnetism.     

Spin-spin and spin-orbit interactions in nanographene fragments: a quantum chemistry approach

The relativistic behavior of graphene structures, starting from the fundamental building blocks--the poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) along with other PAH nanographenes--is studied to quantify any associated intrinsic magnetism in the triplet (T) state and subsequently in the ground singlet (S) state with account of possible S-T mixture induced by spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We employ a first principle quantum chemical-based approach and density functional theory (DFT) for a systematic treatment of the spin-Hamiltonian by considering both the spin-orbit and spin-spin interactions as dependent on different numbers of benzene rings. We assess these relativistic spin-coupling phenomena in terms of splitting parameters which cause magnetic anisotropy in absence of external perturbations. Possible routes for changes in the couplings in terms of doping and defects are also simulated and discussed. Accounting for the artificial character of the broken-symmetry solutions for strong spin polarization of the so-called "singlet open-shell" ground state in zigzag graphene nanoribbons predicted by spin-unrestricted DFT approaches, we interpolate results from more sophisticated methods for the S-T gaps and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) integrals and find that these spin interactions become weak as function of size and increasing decoupling of electrons at the edges. This leads to reduced electron spin-spin interaction and hence almost negligible intrinsic magnetism in the carbon-based PAHs and carbon nanographene fragments. Our results are in agreement with the fact that direct experimental evidence of edge magnetism in pristine graphene has been reported so far. We support the notion that magnetism in graphene only can be ascribed to structural defects or impurities.     

Covalent Functionalization of Strained Graphene

An enhancement of the chemical activity of graphene is evidenced by first‐principles modelling of the chemisorption of hydrogen, fluorine, oxygen and hydroxyl groups on strained graphene. For the case of negative strain or compression, chemisorption of the single hydrogen, fluorine or hydroxyl group is energetically more favourable than those of their pairs on different sublattices. This behaviour stabilizes the magnetism caused by the chemisorption being against its destruction by the pair formations. Initially flat, compressed graphene is shown to buckle spontaneously right after chemisorption of single adatoms. Unlike hydrogenation or fluorination, the oxidation process turns from the endothermic to exothermic for all types of the strain and depends on the direction of applied strains. Such properties will be useful in designing graphene devices utilizing functionalization as well as mechanical strains.     

Half metallicity and electronic structures in armchair BCN-hybrid nanoribbons

We study magnetism and electronic structures of armchair BCN-hybrid nanoribbons from density functional theory. Different from armchair graphene nanoribbons, armchair BCN-hybrid nanoribbons are found to present magnetism along the edges of the nanoribbons if B and N atoms are unpaired in the nanoribbons. Intriguing spin-polarized bands, including magnetic semiconductors, half metals, and magnetic metals, are obtained in the armchair nanoribbons with both the edges composed of C and N atoms. The spin polarization in these armchair nanoribbons is ascribed to the appearance of the unsaturated electronic states in the systems. The magnetic metallicity can be tuned further to half metallicity by adsorbing O atoms at appropriate positions in the ribbons. The electronic structures of the nanoribbons without spin polarization are also analyzed. Our studies provide understanding of the magnetism mechanisms and the electronic properties and most importantly, how to achieve half metallicity in low-dimensional BCN-hybrid systems.     

Graphene nanodots with intrinsically magnetic protrusions

The three step auf bau of a triangular polyaromatic protrusion attached to a larger parent hexagonal shaped graphene nanodot (GND) is described and the dichotomy between intrinsic protrusion localized magnetism and parent extended zigzag edge magnetism is explored using ab initio density functional theory calculations of spin and charge distributions and geometry. Comparison of a three ring with a ten-ring protrusion-GND establishes a pattern for the magnetization of GNDs with larger protrusions and different morphology. The magnetism of the isolated protrusions arises from the mismatch in numbers of sublattice (alternant hydrocarbon) carbon atoms. In the parent, the sublattices are equivalent providing a singlet ground state and the magnetization appears only on long zigzag edges due to exchange interactions operating in a regime of reduced coulombic interactions. We demonstrate that a small protrusion can quench the magnetism of the edge to which it is attached. Concomitantly, the adjacent edges exhibit a small magnetic enhancement, while the remote edges are unperturbed. With size the protrusion can dominate its edge and exert control over the magnetization of other edges. Different multiplicities of the parent moiety were not found. These calculations provide guidance in understanding how the magnetism changes with system shape and in designing nanodots with a specific magnetization.     

Layer Dependence of Graphene for Oxidation Resistance of Cu Surface

We studied the oxidation resistance of graphene-coated Cu surface and its layer dependence by directly growing monolayer graphene with different multilayer structures coexisted, di-minishing the influence induced by residue and transfer technology. It is found that the Cu surface coated with the monolayer graphene demonstrate tremendous difference in oxidation pattern and oxidation rate, compared to that coated with the bilayer graphene, which is considered to be originated from the strain-induced linear oxidation channel in monolayer graphene and the intersection of easily-oxidized directions in each layer of bilayer graphene, respectively. We reveal that the defects on the graphene basal plane but not the boundaries are the main oxidation channel for Cu surface under graphene protection. Our finding indi-cates that compared to putting forth efforts to improve the quality of monolayer graphene by reducing defects, depositing multilayer graphene directly on metal is a simple and effective way to enhance the oxidation resistance of graphene-coated metals.     

Superparamagnetic Reduced Graphene Oxide with Large Magnetoresistance: A Surface Modulation Strategy

The graphene system is actively pursued in spintronics for its nontrivial sp electron magnetism and its potential for the flexible surface chemical tuning of magnetoelectronic functionality. The magnetoresistance (MR) of graphene can be effectively tuned under high magnetic fields at cryogenic temperatures, but it remains a challenge to achieve sensitive magnetoelectric response under ambient conditions. We report the use of surface modulation to realize superparamagnetism in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with sensitive magnetic field response. The superparamagnetic rGO was obtained by a mild oxidation process to partially remove the thiol groups covalently bound to the carbon framework, which brings about large low‐field negative MR at room temperature (?8.6 %, 500 Oe, 300 K). This strategy provides a new approach for optimizing the intrinsic magnetoelectric properties of two‐dimensional materials.     

Increasing the Sensitivity and Single‐Base Mismatch Selectivity of the Molecular Beacon Using Graphene Oxide as the “Nanoquencher”

Here, we report a novel, highly sensitive, selective and economical molecular beacon using graphene oxide as the “nanoquencher”. This novel molecular beacon system contains a hairpin‐structured fluorophore‐labeled oligonucleotide and a graphene oxide sheet. The strong interaction between hairpin‐structured oligonucleotide and graphene oxide keep them in close proximity, facilitating the fluorescence quenching of the fluorophore by graphene oxide. In the presence of a complementary target DNA, the binding between hairpin‐structured oligonucleotide and target DNA will disturb the interaction between hairpin‐structured oligonucleotide and graphene oxide, and release the oligonucleotide from graphene oxide, resulting in restoration of fluorophore fluorescence. In the present study, we show that this novel graphene oxide quenched molecular beacon can be used to detect target DNA with higher sensitivity and single‐base mismatch selectivity compared to the conventional molecular beacon.     

Fabrication of Transparent,Tough, and Conductive Shape‐Memory Polyurethane Films by Incorporating a Small Amount of High‐Quality Graphene

We report a mechanically strong, electrically and thermally conductive, and optically transparent shape‐memory polyurethane composite which was fabricated by introducing a small amount (0.1 wt%) of high‐quality graphene as a filler. Geometrically large (≈4.6 μm²), but highly crystallized few‐layer graphenes, verified by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, were prepared by the sonication of expandable graphite in an organic solvent. Oxygen‐ containing functional groups at the edge plane of graphene were crucial for an effective stress transfer from the graphene to polyurethane. Homogeneously dispersed few‐layered graphene enabled polyurethane to have a high shape recovery force of 1.8 MPa cm⁻³. Graphene, which is intrinsically stretchable up to 10%, will enable high‐performance composites to be fabricated at relatively low cost and we thus envisage that such composites may replace carbon nanotubes for various applications in the near future.     

n‐Type Reduced Graphene Oxide Field‐Effect Transistors (FETs) from Photoactive Metal Oxides

Graphene is of considerable interest as a next‐generation semiconductor material to serve as a possible substitute for silicon. For real device applications with complete circuits, effective n‐type graphene field effect transistors (FETs) capable of operating even under atmospheric conditions are necessary. In this study, we investigated n‐type reduced graphene oxide (rGO) FETs of photoactive metal oxides, such as TiO₂ and ZnO. These metal oxide doped FETs showed slight n‐type electric properties without irradiation. Under UV light these photoactive materials readily generated electrons and holes, and the generated electrons easily transferred to graphene channels. As a result, the graphene FET showed strong n‐type electric behavior and its drain current was increased. These n‐doping effects showed saturation curves and slowly returned back to their original state in darkness. Finally, the n‐type rGO FET was also highly stable in air due to the use of highly resistant metal oxides and robust graphene as a channel.     

Theoretical study of the source-drain current and gate leakage current to understand the graphene field-effect transistors

We designed acene molecules attached to two semi-infinite metallic electrodes to explore the source-drain current of graphene and the gate leakage current of the gate dielectric material in the field-effect transistors (FETs) device using the first-principles density functional theory combined with the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism. In the acene-based molecular junctions, we modify the connection position of the thiol group at one side, forming different electron transport routes. The electron transport routes besides the shortest one are defined as the cross channels. The simulation results indicate that electron transport through the cross channels is as efficient as that through the shortest one, since the conductance is weakly dependent on the distance. Thus, it is possible to connect the graphene with multiple leads, leading the graphene as a channel utilized in the graphene-based FETs in the mesoscopic system. When the conjugation of the cross channel is blocked, the junction conductance decreases dramatically. The differential conductance of the BA-1 is nearly 7 (54.57 μS) times as large as that of the BA-4 (7.35 μS) at zero bias. Therefore, the blocked graphene can be employed as the gate dielectric material in the top-gated graphene FET device, since the leakage current is small. The graphene-based field-effect transistors fabricated with a single layer of graphene as the channel and the blocked graphene as the gate dielectric material represent one way to overcome the problem of miniaturization which faces the new generation of transistors.     

Superclean Growth of Graphene Using a Cold‐Wall Chemical Vapor Deposition Approach

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has become a promising approach for the industrial production of graphene films with appealing controllability and uniformity. However, in the conventional hot‐wall CVD system, CVD‐derived graphene films suffer from surface contamination originating from the gas‐phase reaction during the high‐temperature growth. Shown here is that the cold‐wall CVD system is capable of suppressing the gas‐phase reaction, and achieves the superclean growth of graphene films in a controllable manner. The as‐received superclean graphene film, exhibiting improved optical and electrical properties, was proven to be an ideal candidate material used as transparent electrodes and substrate for epitaxial growth. This study provides a new promising choice for industrial production of high‐quality graphene films, and the finding about the engineering of the gas‐phase reaction, which is usually overlooked, will be instructive for future research on CVD growth of graphene.     

Graphene Field‐Effect Transistors: Electrochemical Gating,Interfacial Capacitance,and Biosensing Applications

Single‐layer graphene has received much attention because of its unique two‐dimensional crystal structure and properties. In this review, we focus on the graphene devices in solution, and their properties that are relevant to chemical and biological applications. We will discuss their charge transport, controlled by electrochemical gates, interfacial and quantum capacitance, charged impurities, and surface potential distribution. The sensitive dependence of graphene charge transport on the surrounding environment points to their potential applications as ultrasensitive chemical sensors and biosensors. The interfacial and quantum capacitance studies are directly relevant to the on‐going effort of creating graphene‐based ultracapacitors for energy storage.     

Modeling of hydrogen and hydroxyl group migration on graphene

Density functional calculations of optimized geometries for the migration of single hydrogen and hydroxyl groups on graphene are performed. It is shown that the migration energy barrier for the hydroxyl group is three times larger than for hydrogen. The crucial role of supercell size for the values of the migration barriers is discussed. The paired migration of hydrogen and hydroxyl groups has also been examined. It could be concluded that hydroxyl group based magnetism is rather stable in contrast with unstable hydrogen based magnetism of functionalized graphene. The role of water in the migration of hydroxyl groups is also discussed, with the results of the calculations predicting that the presence of water weakens the covalent bonds and makes these groups more fluid. Increasing the number of water molecules associated with hydroxyl groups provides an increase of the migration energy.     

ssDNA binding reveals the atomic structure of graphene

We used AFM to investigate the interaction of polyelectrolytes such as ssDNA and dsDNA molecules with graphene as a substrate. Graphene is an appropriate substrate due to its planarity, relatively large surfaces that are detectable via an optical microscope, and straightforward identification of the number of layers. We observe that in the absence of the screening ions deposited ssDNA will bind only to the graphene and not to the SiO(2) substrate, confirming that the binding energy is mainly due to the π-π stacking interaction. Furthermore, deposited ssDNA will map the graphene underlying structure. We also quantify the π-π stacking interaction by correlating the amount of deposited DNA with the graphene layer thickness. Our findings agree with reported electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) measurements. Finally, we inspected the suitability of using a graphene as a substrate for DNA origami-based nanostructures.     

First-Principles Calculations of Magnetism in Nanoscale Carbon Materials Confining Metal with <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> Valence Electrons

The f electrons in the unfilled shell of actinide and lanthanide display complex bonding behavior and the hybridized sp electrons in carbon could show spin polarization in finite nanostructures. Correspondingly, materials combining these two features exhibit abundant magnetic properties. In this paper, we outline our first-principles calculations on various nanoscale carbon materials confining U and Gd which are representative actinide and lanthanide, respectively. The complex interaction between f electrons and sp electrons make the induced magnetic property sensitive to metal specie and carbon confinement. Specially, (1) The magnetism could be suppressed by stronger adsorption with vacancy sites on graphene and adjusted by varying the valence state of some endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs). (2) The magnetic coupling between metal and carbon structures could be promoted by large curvature when confinement site is carbon nanotubes and altered by the adatom defect on fullerene cages. (3) Untrivial magnetic property with large net spin and asymmetric spin distribution is obtained by confining U atom and Gd atom in one fullerene as a heteronuclear EMF. These results contribute to a systematic understanding of the magnetism in nanoscale carbon materials confining metal with f valence electrons.     

Impact of Channel Length and Width for Charge Transportation of Graphene Field Effect Transistor

The effect of channel length and width on the large and small-signal parameters of the graphene field effect transistor have been explored using an analytical approach. In the case of faster saturation as well as extremely high transit frequency, the graphene field effect transistor shows outstanding performance. From the transfer curve, it is observed that there is a positive shift of Dirac point from the voltage of 0.15 V to 0.35 V because of reducing channel length from 440 nm to 20 nm and this curve depicts that graphene shows ambipolar behavior. Besides, it is found that because of widening channel the drain current increases and the maximum current is found approximately 2.4 mA and 6 mA for channel width 2 μm and 5 μm respectively. Furthermore, an approximate symmetrical capacitance-voltage (\begin{document}$C-V$\end{document}) characteristic of the graphene field effect transistor is obtained and the capacitance reduces when the channel length decreases but the capacitance can be increased by raising the channel width. In addition, a high transconductance, that demands high-speed radio frequency (RF) applications, of 6.4 mS at channel length 20 nm and 4.45 mS at channel width 5 μm along with a high transit frequency of 3.95 THz have been found that demands high-speed radio frequency applications.     

Electrochemiluminescence Aptasensor for the MUC1 Protein Based on Multi‐functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor was prepared for the detection of Mucin 1 based on its specific recognition by aptamer immobilized on multi‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite, which was prepared with N‐(4‐aminobutyl)‐N‐ethylisoluminol (ABEI) and aptamer chemically bound to the surface of magnetic GO (nanoFe₃O₄@GO). ABEI and aptamer acted as the electrochemiluminophore and the capture device for Mucin 1 respectively. NanoFe₃O₄@GO brought multi‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite attracted on the surface of magnetic glass carbon electrode through magnetism, enabled all the ABEI immobilized electrochemically active due to its good conductivity and thus then facilitated the sensitive detection of Mucin 1. In addition, the ECL aptasensor can be prepared through a one‐step process. Under optimal conditions, the ECL intensity of the aptasensor decreased proportionally to the logarithmic concentrations of Mucin 1 in the range of 0.005–1000 ng mL^?1. This aptasensor displays good specificity, stability, reproducibility and application. This method has a large potential because such a multi‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite also may be applied to other ECL‐based aptasensors.     

First principles study of magnetism in nanographenes

Magnetism in nanographenes [also known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] is studied with first principles density functional calculations. We find that an antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase appears as the PAH reaches a certain size. This AFM phase in PAHs has the same origin as the one in infinitely long zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons, namely, from the localized electronic state at the zigzag edge. The smallest PAH still having an AFM ground state is identified. With increased length of the zigzag edge, PAHs approach an infinitely long ribbon in terms of (1) the energetic ordering and difference among the AFM, ferromagnetic, and nonmagnetic phases and (2) the average local magnetic moment at the zigzag edges. These PAHs serve as ideal targets for chemical synthesis of nanographenes that possess magnetic properties. Moreover, our calculations support the interpretation that experimentally observed magnetism in activated carbon fibers originates from the zigzag edges of the nanographenes.     

Chemistry with Graphene and Graphene Oxide—Challenges for Synthetic Chemists

The chemical production of graphene as well as its controlled wet chemical modification is a challenge for synthetic chemists. Furthermore, the characterization of reaction products requires sophisticated analytical methods. In this Review we first describe the structure of graphene and graphene oxide and then outline the most important synthetic methods that are used for the production of these carbon‐based nanomaterials. We summarize the state‐of‐the‐art for their chemical functionalization by noncovalent and covalent approaches. We put special emphasis on the differentiation of the terms graphite, graphene, graphite oxide, and graphene oxide. An improved fundamental knowledge of the structure and the chemical properties of graphene and graphene oxide is an important prerequisite for the development of practical applications.