Graphene a simple wonder

The Hindu : Page 07

Syllabus : Prelims Fact

Graphene, an allotrope of carbon, exhibits exceptional properties such as strength surpassing diamond, high conductivity exceeding silver, and flexibility greater than rubber.

•   Its diverse applications span electronics, construction materials, and emerging fields like quantum computing.

About Graphene:

•   Definition and Structure: Graphene is an allotrope of carbon consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice.

•   Properties:

o  Strength: Stronger than diamond, making it highly durable.

o  Conductivity: More conductive than silver, facilitating efficient electricity and heat transfer.

o  Flexibility: More elastic than rubber, allowing it to bend and stretch without damage.

o  Lightweight: Lighter than aluminium, contributing to its versatility in various applications.

•   Production Methods:

o  Initially demonstrated by using scotch tape to peel graphite layers.

o  Industrial methods like chemical vapour deposition (CVD) are used for large-scale production.

•   Applications:

o  Reinforcing materials such as car tires to improve strength and durability.

• o  Substituting silicon in electronics for faster and more efficient components.

o  Enhancing concrete strength by 25% while reducing carbon emissions.

•   Special Properties:

o  Forms a superconductor when two graphene sheets are stacked and rotated at 1.1 degrees.

o  Investigated for potential applications in quantum computing and other advanced technologies.

Graphene’s unique combination of properties makes it a promising material for revolutionising various industries, from electronics