An ultrafast and facile nondestructive strategy to convert various inefficient commercial nanocarbons to highly active Fenton-like catalysts

The Fenton-like process catalyzed by metal-free materials presents one of the most promising strategies to deal with the ever-growing environmental pollution. However, to develop improved catalysts with adequate activity, complicated preparation/modification processes and harsh conditions are always needed. Herein, we proposed an ultrafast and facile strategy to convert various inefficient commercial nanocarbons into highly active catalysts by noncovalent functionalization with polyethylenimine (PEI). The modified catalysts could be in situ fabricated by direct addition of PEI aqueous solution into the nanocarbon suspensions within 30 s and without any tedious treatment. The unexpectedly high catalytic activity is even superior to that of the single-atom catalyst and could reach as high as 400 times higher than the pristine carbon material. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that PEI creates net negative charge via intermolecular charge transfer, rendering the catalyst higher persulfate activation efficiency.

Exfoliation and Noncovalent Functionalization of Graphene Surface with Poly-N-Vinyl-2-Pyrrolidone by In Situ Polymerization

Heteroatom functionalization on a graphene surface can endow the physical and structural properties of graphene. Here, a one-step in situ polymerization method was used for the noncovalent functionalization of a graphene surface with poly-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (PNVP) and the exfoliation of graphite into graphene sheets. The obtained graphene/poly-N-vinyl pyrrolidone (GPNVP) composite was thoroughly characterized. The surface morphology of GPNVP was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to check for the exfoliation of graphite into graphene sheets. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed to calculate the amount of PNVP on the graphene surface in the GPNVP composite. The successful formation of the GPNVP composite and functionalization of the graphene surface was confirmed by various studies. The cyclic voltammetry measurement at different scan rates (5–500 mV/s) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study of the GPNVP composite were performed in the typical three-electrode system. The GPNVP composite has excellent rate capability with the capacitive property. This study demonstrates the one-pot preparation of exfoliation and functionalization of a graphene surface with the heterocyclic polymer PNVP; the resulting GPNVP composite will be an ideal candidate for various electrochemical applications.

Gold Nanoparticle-Mediated Noncovalent Functionalization of Graphene for Field-Effect Transistor

Since of its first discovery, graphene has attracted much attention because of the unique electrical transport properties that can be applied to high-performance field-effect transistor (FET). However, mounting chemical functionalities...

A comparison of acyl-moieties for noncovalent functionalization of PLGA and PEG-PLGA nanoparticles with a cell-penetrating peptide

Noncovalent functionalization with acylated cell-penetrating peptides achieves an efficient cellular uptake of PLGA and PEG-PLGA nanoparticles.

Interplay between structural deformations and flat band phenomenology in twisted bilayer antimonene

Strong interlayer interactions allows for electron localization and emergence of flat bands in relatively higher twist angles in Sb bilayer. Noncovalent functionalization with electron acceptor molecules may modulate their energy position.

Noncovalent functionalization of Ti3C2TX using cationic porphyrins with enhanced stability against oxidation

Ti3C2TX, as the most explored MXene, is a rising star among 2D materials due to their astonishing physicochemical properties. However, its practical applications remain extremely challenging because of chemical degradation...