OutlineWhat is graphene?How it is madePropertiesFuture
Applications
Graphene is a flat monolayer of carbon atoms tightly packed into
a two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb lattice, and is a basic building
block for graphitic materials of all other
dimensionalitiesDefinition:
2-dimensional hexagonal lattice of carbonsp2 hybridized carbon
atomsBasis for C-60 (bucky balls), nanotubes, and graphiteAmong
strongest bonds in natureWhat is graphene?A. K. Geim & K. S.
Novoselov. The rise of graphene. Nature Materials Vol 6 183-191
(March 2007)
How to make grapheneStrangely cheap and easy.Either draw with a
piece of graphite, or repeatedly peel with Scotch tapePlace samples
on specific thickness of Silicon wafer. The wrong thickness of
silicon leaves graphene invisible.Graphene visible through feeble
interference effect. Different thicknesses are different
colors.
Properites:Electrical conductivity conductivity of 0.96x106
-1cm-1 for graphene. This is somewhat higher than the conductivity
of copper which is 0.60x106 -1cm-1.
Optical transparency Graphene absorbs only 2.3% of the light
intensity
Thermal conductivityThe thermal conductivity of graphene is
approximately 5000 Wm1K1.Thermal conductivity of 401 Wm1K1. Thus
graphene conducts heat 10 times better than copper.
StrengthGraphene has a breaking strength of 42N/m.Steel breaking
strength of 0.084-0.40 N/m. Thus graphene is more than 100 times
stronger than the strongest steel.
Graphene Transistor
Future applications
paper-thin transparent computer monitors transparent touch
screens, light panels and maybe even solar cellssatellites,
airplanes, and cars could be manufactured out of the new composite
materials
ConclusionGraphene is a novel material with very unusual
propertiesEasy to make in lab; may prove easy and economical to
manufacture (unknown).Broad range of applications for future
research.Variety of possible practical applications.
