On the Surface of Things: Surface and Interfacial Properties of Hexagonal Boron Nitride, Graphene, Graphite Oxide, and Perfluorophenyl Azides

Unique to the chemistry of materials is the consideration of both a material’s bulk properties as well as that material’s surface properties. The alteration of the surface chemistry of a material may change its overall functionality, thereby changing its expected behavior in a given system. The importance of surface chemistry emerges in a broad range of specializations. Areas of study such as energy storage, drug delivery, catalysis, and membrane water purification all take care to consider the surface properties of the compounds and materials involved. Indeed, surface science is an influential aspect of a multitude of research topics. Centered around the theme of surface and interfacial chemistry, this dissertation examines how modifying and playing with various materials’ surface characteristics impacts their behavior within their respective applications. Specifically, the materials examined herein include hexagonal boron nitride, graphene, graphite oxide, and perfluorophenyl azides. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the importance of surface science in materials chemistry. Chapter 2 discusses how the co-solvent approach to exfoliating and suspending hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets is a simpler, safer alternative to conventional methods of suspending the particles. Chapter 3 shows how the photothermal reduction of graphite oxide can lead to high surface area graphene. This prevents the graphene sheets from restacking and allows for the fabrication of ultra-high power supercapacitors for energy storage.Chapter 4 discusses how the simple, scalable modification of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane surfaces with perfluorophenyl azide molecules can prevent initial bacterial adhesion, thus creating antifouling RO membranes that can last much longer than their conventional commercial counterparts. Chapter 5 looks at how anchoring graphene oxide onto polyamide RO membrane surfaces can render them more hydrophilic, smooth, and ultimately antimicrobial, with considerable resistance to protein fouling and biofouling.