Graphene nanoribbons (GNR) are slender strips of graphene characterized by abundant edges and a high aspect ratio. Edge functionalization can modify the chemical properties of GNR, enhancing their dispersibility and strengthening interfacial interactions with a range of materials.
These attributes render GNR suitable for the production of diverse composites, especially as conductive fillers that achieve percolation at a relatively low mass loading due to their high aspect ratio and conductivity. GNR has found applications in sensors, energy conversion/storage devices, and various electrochemical, photochemical, and thermoelectrical systems.
Furthermore, GNR has been extensively researched for biochemical and biological applications, including bioimaging, biosensing, DNA sequencing, and neurophysiological recovery.
Application
Graphene nanoribbons (GNR) produced through the reductive splitting of carbon nanotubes exhibit highly reactive edge carbon atoms. The resulting carbanions have been passivated using methanol, resulting in H-terminated graphene nanoribbons.
These reductively split graphene nanoribbons retain high electrical conductivity, making them excellent candidates for applications such as electrodes in neurophysiological recording, conductive fillers in batteries, and heaters in de-icing devices.
Materials
Source: Merck