Formation of highly stable dispersions of silane-functionalized reduced graphene oxide

A method was developed to chemically functionalize graphene sheets by silylation. The graphene oxide sheets were silanized with N-(trimethoxysilylpropyl) ethylenediamine triacetic acid. Then the silanized graphene oxide sheets were reduced to produce water-soluble graphene derivatives (EDTA–graphenes). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the structures and properties of the EDTA–graphenes and to monitor changes in the surface morphology and chemical and physical characteristics of graphene at different stages of the silylation reaction. The EDTA–graphenes showed improved dispersion in water and an EDTA–graphene film with a well-layered structure and high conductivity was fabricated.