I want to form amide linkages between the carboxylic acid groups of graphene oxide (GO) and the amine groups of chitosan (CS) in order to create a CS/GO composite. What is the best catalyst and reaction medium for that purpose?
Thank you.
To create a covalent linkage between GO and CS, your best bet would be to use the ethylcarbodiimide-N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC-NHS) chemistry. The -COOH groups present on GO react with EDC to form unstable reactive esters, which on further reaction with NHS would form semi-stable esters. These semi-stable esters can react with the amino groups on CS to form amide linkages. As far as the medium and reaction conditions are concerned, a protocol is included in the attached article.
Good luck!
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.201100191/full
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