Surface functionalization is an important chemical task that allows to manipulate graphite’s physical and chemical properties. It helps improve graphite’s processability, giving it new properties, which may be important for solving specific problems. The graphite surface functionalization may be based on physisorption and chemisorption. In turn, the chemisorption-based functionalization may be edge-selective and non-selective. This review discusses the edge-selective functionalization of the graphite surface and reports the recent studies that take graphite and its different types as a source material. The paper also touches upon other functionalization possibilities, i.e. physisorption and non-selective chemisorption.

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were functionalized with Schiff base and reduced Schiff base. Covalent and non-covalent functionalized GO nanostructures have been tested for the removal of pesticides with different chemical structures and properties (e.g., Epoxiconazole, Dimethomorph, Cyprodinil, Chlorothalonil, Acetochlor, Trifluralin) from aqueous solutions. The structure and morphology characteristics of the prepared structures were analyzed using techniques such as solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results of the experiments showed that, although the non-covalent functionalization did not affect the adsorption properties of GO much, the covalent functionalization increased the adsorption capacity of GO against the mentioned pesticides.

In the present study, cotton fiber was treated with phosphorus trichloride in the presence of oxygen. As a result of the subsequent hydrolysis of modified cotton fibers, phosphorus-containing fragments with acidic groups and chlorine atoms were introduced onto their surface. Afterward, silver-containing composites based on raw and modified cotton fibers were prepared using the chemical reduction method. The obtained samples were characterized in detail by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, as well as by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. A comparative bioassay experiment of four samples for gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, and the fungus Candida albicans was carried out. These results showed the predominant antibacterial activity of the phosphorylated sample and the composite based on it. Thus, the development of these antibacterial cotton fibers using readily available reagents under relatively mild conditions could be used as potential industrial applications for the production of everyday medical textiles.

Here is reported the adsorption of rhodamine 6G from aqueous solution using a phosphorus-containing polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite. The polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite was synthesized via oxidative chlorophosphorylation of polybutadiene rubber and bentonite with subsequent hydrolysis. The static exchange capacity of the polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite and the concentration of phosphorus were evaluated. The functional groups present in the polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption of rhodamine 6G on the polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite was investigated on the basis of initial rhodamine 6G concentration, contact time, and temperature. The equilibrium isotherm was analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. The adsorption equilibrium measurements of rhodamine 6G in solution correlated well with the Langmuir isotherm equation. This model revealed that the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite was 32.2 mg g⁻¹. Pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to characterize the adsorption kinetics of rhodamine 6G. The dynamic data fitted well with the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes indicated that the rhodamine 6G adsorption on polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite was spontaneous and endothermic. The results were compared with corresponding data in the literature. This study demonstrates that the polybutadiene rubber–bentonite hybrid composite is an effective adsorbent for rhodamine 6G.