Devices comprising functionalized materials, and embodiments of a method for making and using such devices, are disclosed. Exemplary devices include ophthalmic devices, nanoparticles, quartz crystal microbalances, microarrays, and nanocomposites. In particular embodiments, device surfaces are modified with monomers and/or polymers, typically carbohydrate monomers and/or polymers. Embodiments of a method for making and using such devices are disclosed. Monomers and/or polymers are covalently bonded to surfaces using functionalized perhalophenylazides. In some embodiments, device surfaces are functionalized with a perhalophenylazide. One or more monomers and/or polymers subsequently are covalently bonded to the device surface using the perhalophenylazide. In other embodiments, monomers and/or polymers are derivatized with a functionalized perhalophenylazide. The derivatized monomers and/or polymers then are covalently bonded to the device surface using the perhalophenylazide. In some embodiments, graphite is functionalized with perhalophenylazide to produce a functionalized graphene sheet. In other embodiments, graphene sheets are covalently attached to functionalized substrates.