2D materials possess exceptional physical and chemical properties that render them appealing components for numerous potential applications in (opto)electronics, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine. However, such unique properties are hardly tunable or modifiable. The functionalization of 2D crystals with molecules constitutes a powerful strategy to adjust and modulate their properties, by also imparting them new functions. In this framework, the combination of 2D materials with photosensitive molecules is a viable route for harnessing their light‐responsive nature. The latter takes full advantage of the extremely high sensitivity of 2D materials to subtle changes in the local environment and the capacity of photosensitive molecules to modify their intrinsic properties when exposed to electromagnetic fields. The hybrid molecule–2D materials can preserve the unique optical and electrical properties of 2D layers and can exhibit additional light‐tunable features. In this Progress Report, the protocols that can be pursued for the 2D material functionalization and switching mechanisms in photosensitive systems are reviewed, followed by an in‐depth discussion on their tunable optical properties and their exploitation when integrated in novel photoswitchable electronic devices. The opportunities and associated challenges to be tackled for the development of unprecedented and high‐performance light‐responsive devices are discussed.
15 September 2019 in Advanced Functional Materials
Graphene is regarded as the ultimate material for future flexible, high‐performance, and wearable electronics. Herein, a novel, robust, all‐green, highly reliable (yield ≥ 99%), and upscalable technology is reported for wearable applications comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the electroactive component in liquid‐gated transistors (LGTs). rGO is a formidable material for future flexible and wearable applications due to its easy processability, excellent surface reactivity, and large‐area coverage. A novel protocol is established toward the high‐yield fabrication of flexible rGO LGTs combining high robustness (>1.5 h of continuous operation) with state‐of‐the‐art performances, being similar to those of their rigid counterparts operated under liquid gating, including field‐effect mobility of ≈10−1 cm2 V−1 s−1 and transconductance of ≈25 µS. Permeable membranes have been proven crucial to operate flexible LGTs under mechanical stress with reduced amounts of solution (<20 µL). Our rGO LGTs are operated in artificial sweat exploiting two different layouts based on lateral‐flow paper fluidics. These approaches pave the road toward future real‐time tracking of perspiration via a simple and cost‐effective approach. The reported findings contribute to the robust and scalable production of novel graphene‐based flexible devices, whose features fulfill the requirements of wearable electronics.