Controlled functionalization of graphene with carboxyl moieties toward multiple applications

We here report a controlled functionalization strategy which enables the scalable production of a new kind of carboxyl-rich functionalized graphene without sacrificing the structural integrity and quality of the basal plane. The thus-resulting high-quality functionalized graphene is solution-processable and is capable of acting as a nearly intact two-dimensional scaffold for the uniform assembly of functional inorganic species, as an attractive electrode material for superior transparent conductive films, and also as the integral element of an interesting material system with continuously tunable hydrophilicity, all of which evidence their multifunctional potentials in different applications.