Two-Dimensional Nanostructures The Graphene Frontier

In Chapter 4, we discussed an important 2-D nanoarchitecture - thin films. As long as the thickness is 100 nm, these are properly classified within the nanomaterials umbrella. Though spin-coating may be able to afford thin films of this overall thickness, these types of coatings are generally deposited using vapor deposition techniques (PVD, CVD, and ALD). The current buzz related to 2-D nanomaterials is related to the synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of the theoretical sub-unit of carbon nanotubes - graphene sheets. 

Not unlike carbon nanotubes, solubilization and/or surface functionalization of graphene is essential to control its reactivity/self-assembly for future applications. Whereas graphene oxide (GO) is soluble in polar solvents, reduced GO is insoluble. Thus far, strategies have included both non-covalent (7i-stacking) interactions with aromatic molecules,and covalent interactions with amphiphilic polymers as well as surface fluorination.  

IMPORTANT MATERIALS APPLICATIONS V NANOELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (NEMS) 

The extension of MEMS to the nanoregime is referred to as NEMS - representing the ultimate in future devices - with benefits such as lower power dissipation and ultra-sensitive and localized responses. Further, due to the size of NEMS, it will be 

One recent NEMS device is a mass sensor with a resolution at the zeptogram level (1 zg = 10 Thus far, the lowest detection limit for this device is 7 zg, or ca. 

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