A triazine-mediated strategy delivers highly efficient, room-temperature functionalization and post-functionalization of carbon-based nanomaterials, overcoming harsh conditions and inhomogeneous products.

 Detailed Explanation

The disclosed method leverages a triazine-based nitrene precursor that reacts with conjugated π-systems of CBNs at ≤25°C, facilitating a gentle [2+1] cycloaddition. Parameter tuning—temperature, sonication, solvent—yields homogenous and high-density functional groups. Post-functionalization exploits residual leaving groups (e.g., Cl) for selective nucleophilic substitution, crafting homo- or bifunctional surfaces. The versatile workflow adapts to graphene, nanotubes, fullerenes, and expands to polymer conjugates, dyes, biomolecules, and nanoparticles for tailored applications.

Key Innovation Features and Advantages

• Room-temperature reaction prevents CBN degradation
• Triazine nitrene precursors ensure rapid, uniform coverage
• Sonication boosts debundling and yield – Sequential temperature-controlled steps for bifunctional surfaces
• Broad nucleophile compatibility for custom post-functionalization

Use Cases

• Drug delivery vehicles via biopolymer-grafted nanotubes
• Electrical sensors employing functionalized graphene
• Fluorescent tagging of CBNs for bioimaging
• Polymer-coated CBNs in advanced composites
• Surface-charged nanomaterials for water treatment 

Commercial Opportunities

• Modular nanocarriers in pharmaceuticals
• High-performance conductive inks for flexible electronics
• Tailored nanocoatings for filtration membranes
• Diagnostic assays using fluorescent CBN probes
• Specialty polymers enhanced with CBN functionalities 

Current Status

Filed as EP3201130A1 with detailed examples in WO2016050351A1. Demonstrated functionalization on multi-walled, single-walled nanotubes, graphene, and fullerenes. Initial scale-up achieved 5–15% mass increase, indicating robust grafting.