Abstract Chemical synthesis was used for the functionalization of graphene oxide using Meta toluic acid. Various covalent and non covalent attachments of functional groups were used for surface modification of GO due to the presence of oxygen groups on the surface of GO. Modified graphene oxide was obtained by esterification reaction. The characterization of GO and modified GO (FGO) was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Modification of Graphene oxide was confirmed by peak shifting in XRD pattern and new bond attached in FTIR spectra as compared with GO. SEM, TGA and dispersion characterization was done to observe the change in characteristics properties of modified GO. SEM analysis was used to observe the change in morphology of graphene oxide. TGA was used to study the decomposition of the material as a function of temperature. The FGO was completely soluble in methanol, propan-1-ol, DMF, acetone, ethanol and DMSO which shows that FGO have good dispersible properties and may find its application in various fields like gas and humidity sensors.