Anisotropic nanomaterials composed of two halves of different structure, chemistry, or polarity, known as Janus nanomaterials, have distinct properties compared to symmetrically functionalized analogues and therefore have recently been paid significant attention in many applications such as electronic thin films, drug delivery, sensors, optics, oil/water separation membranes, photoactivated micromotors, photocatalysts, and interfacial modification. Among the many Janus structures, two-dimensional (2D) Janus nanomaterials with high aspect ratio in rod-like or planar (i.e., nanosheets) morphologies, are especially intriguing considering their interfacial properties as well as their ability to assemble into higher order and hybrid structures. In this research, we have developed a novel “Interfacial Nanoreactor” system and applied to selectively functionalize one face of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets in mass quantity at gram to kilogram levels. With this method, Janus GO platelets can be prepared without the use of any solid substrates or mask materials and the two platelet faces can be asymmetrically modified in a one-pot reaction. We demonstrated that amphiphilic Janus GO nanosheets synthesized by hydrophobizing one side of GO could dramatically alter fluid properties at the water-oil interface.

Controllable asymmetric functionalization of graphene oxide nanosheets in mass quantity

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.