Carborane functionalized graphene oxide, a precursor for conductive self-assembled monolayers

A new, advanced graphene oxide based material modified with the extremely stable o-carboranoyl 1,2-C2B10H11 unit was created. The carboranoyl-functionalized graphene oxide was synthesized from Li[1,2-C2B10H11] and COCl-functionalized graphene-oxide, which was prepared by converting the graphene oxide –COOH groups to COCl with SOCl2. The carboranoyl-functionalized graphene oxide was characterized using infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology was investigated via transmission, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopies. The electrochemical properties of o-carboranoyl functionalized graphene oxide was studied using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electric force microscopy. This new graphene-based material could in future be used as a precursor for conductive self-assembled monolayers.