Noncovalent Functionalization of Graphene with Spiropyran Molecular Switches via a Specially Designed Perylenediimide Adsorption Anchor

摘要

A spiropyran derivative, which is a well-known photo-chromic molecule, is attached noncovalently to graphene via a specially designed perylenediimide adsorption anchor group. To explore the feasibility of functionalization, several characterizations were used to prove the π-π interaction between graphene and spiropyran-perylenediimide. This facile and effective noncovalent functionalization strategy provides a new way of introducing various functional molecules to graphene without disturbing its electronic network. The graphene hybrid shows excellent switching ability after modification with spiropyran derivative; furthermore, the switching performance is stable over many cycles. This hybrid has potential application in optical electronic devices and sensors.