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Abstract Covalent functionalization of pristine graphene can modify its properties, enabling applications in optoelectronics, biomedical fields, environmental science, and energy. However, the chemical reactivity of pristine graphene is relatively low, and as such, methods have been developed to increase the reactivity of graphene. This review focuses on substrate engineering as an effective strategy to enhance the reactivity of graphene through strain and charge doping. Nanoparticles, metals with different crystal orientations, and stretchable polymers are employed to introduce strains in graphene, leading to enhanced chemical reactivity and increased degree of functionalization. Charge doping through orbital hybridization with metals and charge puddles induced by oxide substrates generally enhance the reactivity of graphene, while alkyl‐modified surfaces and 2D materials often reduce graphene reactivity via charge screening and van der Waals interactions that increase the stability of the graphene layer, respectively. This review summarizes methods for creating and characterizing strains and charge doping in graphene and discusses their effects on the chemical functionalization of graphene in various reactions. 

ReviewQuantification of Nanomaterial SurfacesHarshit Kumar and Mingdi Yan *Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA* Correspondence: Mingdi_Yan@uml.eduReceived: 24 February 2025; Revised: 3 March 2025; Accepted: 5 March 2025; Published: 10 March 2025Abstract: Quantification of nanomaterial surfaces is critical in the design of nanomaterials with predictable and tailored functions. Nanomaterials exhibit unique surface properties, such as high surface-to-volume ratios and tunable chemistry, which govern their stability, reactivity, and functions in a wide range of applications including catalysis, drug delivery, bioimaging, and environmental remediation. However, quantitative analysis of the nanomaterial surface is challenging due to the inherent heterogeneity, which affects the surface structure, ligand density and presentation. This mini review discusses several important aspects of surface quantification, including ligand structure, ligand density, functional groups, and surface reactions. Traditional analytical methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and UV-vis spectroscopy, as well as emerging techniques that offer higher spatial resolution and sensitivity are discussed, and examples are given. 

The development and application of intermolecular interaction potential maps to rationalize a range of interactions at the DFT level using suitable probes is described.