funktionalisierende

Funktionalisierende is a German term derived from the verb funktionalisieren (to functionalize). Grammatically it is the present participle used as an adjective or a nominalized form. In technical literature it can refer to an agent, reagent, or process that introduces functional groups into a substrate, or more broadly to the act of functionalization itself. The more common noun for the process is Funktionalisierung; Funktionalisierende appears primarily in descriptive phrases such as funktionalisierende Gruppen or funktionalisierende Reagenzien.

In chemistry and materials science, functionalization means attaching or introducing reactive or functional groups to enable subsequent reactivity, compatibility, or properties. This includes introducing groups like -OH, -COOH, -NH2, or more complex handles, on organic molecules, polymers, surfaces, carbon nanotubes, graphene, or nanoparticles. Methods include covalent modification, grafting (grafting to and grafting from), surface silanization with organosilanes, selective oxidation, sulfonation, amidation, esterification, and click chemistry (for example azide–alkyne cycloaddition). The goal is to tailor solubility, polarity, reactivity, adhesion, biocompatibility, or catalytic activity.

Applications span drug delivery and biotechnology labeling, catalysis, sensing, surface modification for corrosion resistance or biocompatibility, and the dispersion or compatibility improvement of nanomaterials in polymeric or ceramic matrices. Functionalization can also enhance anchoring of dyes, enzymes, or other functional entities.

Characterization and challenges include controlling the degree and regioselectivity of functionalization, preserving essential properties, ensuring reproducibility, and assessing stability under application conditions. Common analytical methods include NMR, FTIR, XPS, TGA, and microscopy or spectroscopy to verify introduced groups and surface coverage.