Graphene, the Wonder Material of the Future

Certain elements like Carbon, Sulphur are capable of existing in two or more different physical forms. This is known as Allotrope. Carbon is tetravalent and it is capable of forming many allotropes due to its valency. The two well-known allotropes of carbon are diamond and graphite. In the recent decade many other allotropes are also discovered such as nanotubes, Nano buds and Nano ribbons and Graphene.

Graphene is a single layer of pure carbon atom. It has extraordinary properties. The single layer of Carbon atoms bonded together in hexagonal honeycomb lattice.

Graphene is the thinnest carbon compound but lightest material. It is 100 times stronger than steel by weight. A sq. metre of Graphene is 1000 thinner than paper. It is also stretchable and transparent.

Graphene is the best conductor of heat and electricity. It absorbs white light. It is therefore stronger than steel and harder than diamond. It is the best super conducting material available on this Earth for the time being.

Discovery:  Graphene was discovered on Oct 22, 2004. Two Russian Scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were playing with the flakes of graphite to investigate the electrical properties. They decided to make very thin flakes with the help of sticky scotch tape. They peeled a layer after layer of graphite from its block until they arrived at a layer that was just one atom thin.

This material was not only thin but unique. It is an emerging material with interesting properties. This material will transform the future of electronics and our lifestyle. 

Graphene is expensive and is hard to produce. Great efforts are being made to find the effective and inexpensive ways to make graphene. The derivative of Graphene is Graphene Oxide. It is also a single-atomic layered material. It is made by the powerful oxidation of graphite, which is cheap and abundant. Graphene oxide is an oxidized form of graphene, laced with oxygen-containing groups. It is considered easy to process. It is soluble in water and also in other solvents, and it can even be used to make graphene. It is commonly sold in powder form. 

Applications of Graphene:

Graphene oxide membranes form a barrier when dealing with liquids and gases. This membrane is useful in separating organic solvents from water. Therefore, Graphene Oxide membranes can be used for filtration and purification of water, separation of gases and desalination of water. 

Graphene coating on food and pharmaceutical product packages will stop moisture attacking the food and medicine. This permits the perishable goods to last longer. 

In power stations, Carbon dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere during power generation. As a result Carbon dioxide level increases in the atmosphere.  Graphene membranes used in power generation will prevent it. 

Graphene is effective when it is used in combination with the existing material called Composite Products. Graphene based composites will bring an industrial revolution. 

By combining Graphene with paint, a unique coating is obtained which will end the deterioration of cars, ships and other iron based objects. 

Brick and stone can be given a coating of Graphene to build weather proof homes.

Graphene and Graphene based composite coating on sports equipment enhances the durability, strength and quality. Graphene coating on Tennis Racket improves its quality. Similarly, Graphene based composite coating can be given to skiing, cycling and boating equipment to improve its quality.

Graphene based composite material can be used in wings of the aircraft. This will decrease the weight of the vehicle; increase the fuel efficiency and range of the aircraft. Simultaneously, the effects of natural disasters like lightening, thunder storm on the air craft will be reduced.

Graphene when used in Lithium ion battery,   it will increase its durability, charging capacity and the capacity to retain power.

Graphene Batteries are flexible. It can be stitched in the clothes. They can be recharged by solar energy.

A capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field. In its simplest form, a capacitor consists of two conducting plates separated by an insulating material. Graphene can be used in capacitors. They provide massive and huge power with less energy. Graphene capacitors are very light. So cars and aircrafts become light when Graphene capacitors are used.

Graphene membranes can be used   instead of silicon in solar panels to increase efficiency. Graphene coating can be given to solar cells to improve quality.

Graphene sheets, graphene flakes, graphene oxide can be used in bio medical equipment for drug delivery and in tissue engineering. 

Graphene can be used in developing innovative, revolutionary, life-saving medical devices to improve health care.

Graphene is an ideal material for sensors. Graphene sensors can boost agriculture. With the help of graphene sensors farmers will be able to monitor the harmful gases in their farms and take appropriate action.

Graphene oxide can be used in food packaging. A coating of graphene oxide will cut down unhealthy food wastage and illness. The graphene oxide coating will be able to identify the atmospheric changes caused by the decaying food.

Graphene sensors can be used in chemical warfare. It helps the soldiers to locate enemies and their camps to save innocent lives.

Graphene based smart phones can be worn or tied to the wrist or rolled like a newspaper.

Graphene coating on the touchscreen of mobiles, smartphones, and computers will make them work very fast. 

A transistor is a device that regulates current or voltage flow and acts as a switch or gate for electronic signals. Transistors consist of three layers of a semiconductor material, each capable of carrying a current. Very small transistors can be made with graphene. Small transistors perform very well as smaller is the size, greater is the performance.

The filaments of LED light bulbs can be coated with Graphene.  Graphene helps to dissipate heat from the bulb, making the bulb glow bright. They use less energy and expected to last longer. Manufacturing cost is lower and it is a sustainable product. 

Graphene is a wonder material, from which we can make energy efficient, long lasting products. It is sustainable because it is made up of carbon atoms which are bio- molecules. Graphene helps us create green energy, prevents pollution of air and water. By using graphene in electronic equipment we can lessen the electronic waste generated by us as they last longer. The earth’s environment will look cleaner and greener. The future of Graphene in technological applications is bright.