Simultaneous Reduction and Covalent Combining of Tetraethylenepentamine on Graphene Oxide

[Objective] To prepare tetraethylenepentamine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (TEPA-Gn) by a one-step process. [Method] Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) was grafted with graphene oxide (GO) under mild condition of 70°C and in the presence of sodium hydroxide which acted as a catalyzer. [Results] The structural analysis of TEPA-Gn by FTIR and XPS showed that tetraethylenepentamine was attached to the six-membered ring of graphene by forming a covalent bond with an epoxy group in GO. Raman spectrum showed that the disorder of TEPA-Gn increased. [Conclusion]The tetraethylenepentamine was both a linker agent and a reducing agent in the reaction of preparing TEPA-Gn.