Molecularly engineered graphene surfaces for sensing applications: A review

[Display omitted] •The importance of surface chemistry of graphene materials is clearly described.•We discuss molecularly engineered graphene surfaces for sensing applications.•We describe the latest developments of these materials for sensing technology. Graphene is scientifically and commercially important because of its unique molecular structure which is monoatomic in thickness, rigorously two-dimensional and highly conjugated. Consequently, graphene exhibits exceptional electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Herein, we critically discuss the surface modification of graphene, the specific advantages that graphene-based materials can provide over other materials in sensor research and their related chemical and electrochemical properties. Furthermore, we describe the latest developments in the use of these materials for sensing technology, including chemical sensors and biosensors and their applications in security, environmental safety and diseases detection and diagnosis.