grafiinin

Grafiini, known in English as graphene, is a two-dimensional carbon allotrope consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the basic structural element of other carbon allotropes, including graphite and carbon nanotubes. Graphene exhibits exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties that have spurred extensive research since its isolation.

Structure and properties: A graphene monolayer is about 0.34 nanometers thick, with carbon–carbon bonds of about 0.142 nanometers. The material is exceptionally strong (Young's modulus around 1 terapascals) and stiff, with high intrinsic strength. It supports high electron mobility (up to roughly 200,000 cm^2/(V·s) in ideal, suspended samples) and very high thermal conductivity (on the order of several thousand watts per meter per kelvin). Graphene is also nearly transparent and flexible, making it attractive for various electronic and optoelectronic applications.

History: Graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov using mechanical exfoliation with adhesive tape from graphite. Their work demonstrated the material’s unusual properties and earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010.

Production: Graphene is produced by mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on metals such as copper or nickel, chemical reduction of graphene oxide, and liquid-phase exfoliation. Each method presents trade-offs among quality, defect density, and scalability, affecting suitability for different applications.

Applications and outlook: Potential applications include high-speed electronics, transparent conductive films, flexible displays, energy storage devices, composite materials, and advanced sensors. Graphene’s combination of strength, conductivity, and large surface area enables diverse uses, while ongoing work aims to improve scalable manufacturing and integration with existing technologies. See also: graphite, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide.