Noncovalent Functionalization of Graphene by Molecular and Polymeric Adsorbates

The desirable properties and increased availability of single- and few-layer graphene have motivated interest in interfacing functional molecules and materials to its high surface area basal plane. The surface of pristine graphene lacks chemical functionality to allow for covalent modification without interrupting its continuous π-orbital system. In contrast, noncovalent functionalization does not suffer from these drawbacks and offers a means to tune graphene properties and incorporate molecular recognition or other active elements. In this Perspective, we describe emerging strategies to interface molecular compounds and polymers to graphene as well as the enhanced properties and new functions that they impart.