Graphene with Unique Proprieties & Application Prospects

Stable structure, high strength.
Excellent electrical & thermal conductivity.
Exhibit good solubility in non-polar solutions.

Description

The term graphene is derived from graphite and the naming suffix of alkenes (ene), indicating an atomic-scale network that the single atomic layer of carbon extended endlessly. That is, a single layer of graphite sheet, which is a two-dimensional carbon material and is a basic unit of various carbon allotropes such as graphene, charcoal, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, etc. Besides, it is also a general term for single-layer graphene, double-layer graphene, and few-layer graphene. In fact, a single layer or a few layers of carbon atoms (graphene layer) can be called graphene. Graphene is currently the thinnest material artificially produced in the world, with a thickness of a single carbon atom only 0.335 nm.

Perfect graphene has an ideal two-dimensional crystal structure composed of hexagonal lattices. Each carbon atom is connected to three other carbon atoms through a strong σ covalent bond, forming a strong C-C bond. Moreover, each carbon atom contributes a non-boding л electron, and these л electrons form a л orbital perpendicular to the plane. These л electrons can move freely in the crystal, endowing graphene with excellent mechanical strength and conductivity. Therefore, graphene is a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial consisting of carbon atoms in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice with sp2 hybrid orbitals.

Graphene materials refer to graphene-related two-dimensional carbon materials with no more than 10 carbon atom layers, including single-layer graphene, double-layer graphene, few-layer graphene, graphene, single-layer graphene oxide, graphene oxide, single-layer reduced graphene oxide, reduced graphene, and functionalized graphene.

Graphene and graphene-related materials are widely used in battery electrode materials, semiconductor devices, transparent displays, sensors, capacitors, transistors, etc. Given the excellent properties of graphene materials and their potential applications, a series of significant advances have been made in a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, materials science, physics, biology, environmental science and energy.

Properties

Stable Structure
It has a stable crystal structure with a C-C bond length of 0.142 nm.
Mechanical Properties
It is one of the strongest materials known and has good toughness. It has a theoretical Young's modulus of 1.0 TPa and an intrinsic tensile strength of 130 GPa.
Electronic Effect
It has a carrier mobility of about 15,000 cm²/(V·s) at room temperature, which is dozens of times higher than that of conventional semiconductor silicon materials.
Thermal Conductivity
Theoretically defect-free pure single-layer graphene has a thermal conductivity of up to 5300 W/mK. When used as a carrier., it has a thermal conductivity of up to 600 W/mK
Optical Properties
It has an absorption of about 2.3% across a wide range of wavelengths, and appears almost transparent.
Solubility
It exhibits good solubility in non-polar solutions, and has superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties.
Melting Point
Its melting point was estimated to be around 4125 K in a 2015 study, although other research suggests it may be closer to 5000 K.
Chemical Properties
Chemically, it is similar to graphite and can adsorb and desorb various atoms and molecules.
Biocompatiblity
Implanting carboxylate ions can make the surface of graphene material possess active functional groups, thus significantly improving the material's cell and biological response activity.
Addition Reaction
The double bond on graphene can be used to join the required groups through addition reaction.