Self-assembly of biofunctional polymer on graphene nanoribbons

ACS Nano. 2012 Feb 28;6(2):1011-7. doi: 10.1021/nn204825b. Epub 2012 Jan 18.

Abstract

Graphene's adhesive properties owing to inherent van der Waals interactions become increasingly relevant in the nanoscale regime. Polymer self-assembly via graphene-mediated noncovalent interactions offers a powerful tool for the creation of anisotropic nanopatterned systems. Here, we report the supramolecular self-assembly of biofunctional-modified poly(2-methoxystyrene) on graphene nanoribbons prepared by unzipping multiwalled carbon nanotubes. This approach promotes the glycol-modified polymer to self-assemble into structured nanopatterns with preserved bioactivity. The self-assembly is attributed to enhanced van der Waals interactions and the associated charge transfer from polymer to graphene. These findings demonstrate that the assembly yields a prospective route to novel nanomaterial systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Graphite