Covalent functionalization of graphene oxide by 9-(4-aminophenyl)acridine and its derivatives

Graphene/acridine (G-Acr) hybrid structures were synthesized through covalent functionalization of graphene oxide with 9-(4-aminophenyl)acridine (APA) and its derivatives. The G-Acr hybrids were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, thermal gravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms that the binding energies of APA and its derivatives shifted to higher values, revealing pronounced charge transfer at the interface of graphene and organic molecules.