Graphene, also known as graphite flake, is a single-layer sheet of sp2-bonded carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the thinnest and strongest material known to human beings and was first discovered in 2004. Graphene has a range of remarkable properties, making it a material of immense potential. It is a stronger than steel, a more impermeable than rubber, an excellent conductor of electricity and an excellent conductor of heat.
What is particularly remarkable about graphene is that it exhibits extremely high chemical stability and 12% electron mobility – the rate at which electrons move through the material. Due to its chemical stability, graphene is resistant to corrosion and chemical attack. Furthermore, graphene has a large surface area and high pore volume, making it ideal for a variety of industrial applications.
One of the most important characteristics of graphene is its protective layer, which make it highly impermeable. It is considered the strongest material known to man, with a tensile strength of 230 gigapascals – higher than steel and diamonds. Graphene is also very flexible, making it ideal for a range of applications in the nanotechnology industry.
Another surprising property of graphene is its electron mobility. The massive energy band gap of graphene makes it a good conductor of electricity, yet it can also be an excellent insulator. This enables applications in flexible electronics and has been used to create components for touchscreens.
Graphene has an impressive range of applications, including in the production of extremely pure graphite powder, which is used for industrial applications and for coating electrodes in batteries. Due to its low-friction surface, graphene has also been used in the production of sporting goods, including ski poles and skateboard decks.
Graphene has also been used in the medical field, due to its unique properties. It was used in a variety of medical lasers, as a protective barrier on medical implants, such as stents and intracranial probes. Graphene has also been used in the development of flexible medical clothing that can detect and monitor vital signs.
Graphene is often referred to as a wonder material due to its wide range of applications. It has a number of impressive properties, including high electrical and thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, intrinsic flexibility, impermeability and chemical stability. These properties make graphene an important material for use in the nanotechnology and medical fields. With its potential for widespread use, high-purity graphene is likely to have an important role to play in the near future.
