Covalently patterned graphene surfaces by a force accelerated cycloaddition reaction

A method of selectively locally increasing the bandgap of a graphene sample comprising the steps of:

• (a) coating an elastomeric tip array with an ink mixture comprising a second reactive element consisting of or bound to a soft matter element;
• and
• (b) inducing a localized force-accelerated reaction between a first reactive element positioned on a basal plane of a single layer graphene sample and the second reactive element by mechanical application of the elastomeric tip array to the graphene basal plane, thereby forming a covalent bond between the first and second reactive elements;
• and
• wherein the bandgap is increased in those locations on the basal plane of the graphene with the covalent bond between the first and second reactive elements.