Hydroxygraphene: Dynamics of hydrogen bond networks

Using the molecular dynamics method, dynamics of hydrogen bond (HB) networks emerging on the surface of a graphene sheet during its functionalization with hydroxyl groups OH are simulated. It is demonstrated that two OH groups form an energetically more advantageous structure when they are covalently attached on one side of the sheet to carbon atoms forming opposite vertices of one hexagon of valence bonds of the sheet. Attaching of OH groups to carbon atoms located at the opposite vertices of hexagons of valence bonds leads to the emergence of hydroxygraphene C-4(OH). In such sheet lying on a flat substrate, attached oxygen atoms on its outer surface form a hexagonal lattice, and hydroxyl groups due to their turns can in various ways form chains of hydrogen bonds. The modification of the sheet from two sides results in forming of hydroxygraphene C-2(OH) with HB networks on both sides of the graphene sheet. Simulation of the dynamics of these sheets shows that their heat capacity at low temperatures T < T-0 increases monotonously when the temperature rises, reaches its maximum at T = T-0 and then decreases monotonically. The initial growth is caused by the accumulation of orientational defects in the lattice of hydrogen bonds whereas the decrease at T > T-0 is explained by the melting of the lattice. For one chain of OH groups connected to the outer side of a nanoribbon the melting temperature is T-0 = 500K, while for a graphene sheet C-4(OH) modified on one side T-0 = 260K, and for a graphene sheet C-2(OH) modified on both sides T-0 = 485K.

Automated summary

The study shows that two OH groups covalently attached to opposite vertices of a hexagon on the graphene sheet form a energetically more advantageous structure, leading to the formation of C-4(OH). The attached oxygen atoms on the outer surface of the graphene sheet form a hexagonal lattice, and the hydroxyl groups can form hydrogen bond chains in various ways.