Investigation on the interactions between fullerene and β-CD-g-hyperbranched polyglycerol to produce water-soluble fullerene

Modification of carbon-based nanomaterials by polyglycerol: recent advances and applications

Hyperbranched polymers, a subclass of dendritic polymers, mimic nature's components such as trees and nerves. Hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) is a hyperbranched polyether with outstanding physicochemical properties, including high water-solubility and functionality, biocompatibility, and an antifouling feature. HPG has attracted great interest in the modification of different objects, in particular carbon-based nanomaterials. In this review, recent advances in the synthesis and application of HPG to modify carbon-based nanomaterials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerene, nanodiamonds, carbon dots, and carbon fibers, are reviewed.

Green Processing of Carbon Nanomaterials

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) from fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene are promising carbon allotropes for various applications such as energy-conversion devices and biosensors. Because pristine CNMs show substantial van der Waals interactions and a hydrophobic nature, precipitation is observed immediately in most organic solvents and water. This inevitable aggregation leads to poor processability and diminishes the intrinsic properties of the CNMs. Highly toxic and hazardous chemicals are used for chemical and physical modification of CNMs, even though efficient dispersed solutions are obtained. The development of an environmentally friendly dispersion method for both safe and practical processing is a great challenge. Recent green processing approaches for the manipulation of CNMs using chemical and physical modification are highlighted. A summary of the current research progress on: i) energy-efficient and less-toxic chemical modification of CNMs using covalent-bonding functionality and ii) non-covalent-bonding methodologies through physical modification using green solvents and dispersants, and chemical-free mechanical stimuli is provided. Based on these experimental studies, recent advances and challenges for the potential application of green-processable energy-conversion and biological devices are provided. Finally, a conclusion section is provided summarizing the insights from the present studies as well as some future perspectives.