An effective way of covalently functionalizing graphene with a chitosan polymer via a nitrene
chemistry is demonstrated. The biofunctionalized graphene is prepared by the chemical
reduction of graphene oxide using a nitrene chemistry, and then covalently grafting chitosan
to the graphene surface. The effectiveness of the biofunctionalized graphene as a
reinforcing filler (4 wt%) in a chitosan polymer matrix is verified by the dramatic
enhancement of the mechanical properties (breaking stress= 330%, Young's modulus …

An effective way of covalently functionalizing graphene with a biopolymer via nitrene
chemistry is demonstrated by Yoong Ahm Kim, Jae Whan Cho, and co‐workers on page
721. The mechanical and electrical properties of the biocomposite film are tuned by varying
the content of functionalized graphene. The high antimicrobial activity of the
biofunctionalized graphene may be due to the presence of biopoly mer on edges of the
graphene.