Non-covalent functionalization of graphene with a hydrophilic self-limiting monolayer for macro-molecule immobilization

•A hydrophilic graphene surface is achieved by creating a self-limited monolayer with two designed pyrene derivatives.•The resulting charged surface of graphene can then be employed to selectively bind macro-molecules.•The method is applicable over graphene surface independently on the underneath support.•Atomic resolution of the immobilized macromolecules is achieved by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), proving that this approach is useful for making hydrophilic graphene TEM supports.