Graphene is a two-dimensional material. It is often referred to as the world's first 2D material. It consists of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. The carbon atoms are sp2 hybridized, which gives graphene its unique properties. Graphene is a single layer that is only one atom thick, making it a truly two-dimensional material.
The physical properties of graphene, such as its exceptional electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity, have attracted worldwide attention and research interest. Graphene has a wide range of potential applications, including in microelectronics, optoelectronics (such as solar cells and touchscreens), batteries, supercapacitors, and thermal control.
Graphene can be produced through a process called "top-down" exfoliation, where graphene flakes are peeled off from bulk graphite using sticky tape. However, this method can only produce flat graphene flakes of limited size, and it is difficult to control the number of layers in the graphene flakes. In order to meet the requirements of practical applications, such as large area and high-quality graphene with low structural defects, alternative methods such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) have been developed.
CVD-graphene is quasi-two-dimensional because electrons in the 2D lattice can only move in between carbon atoms. This allows for excellent conduction of electricity through graphene sheets. In addition to pure graphene, hybridization of graphene with other 2D materials, such as h-BN films or WS2, can further improve the properties and potential applications of graphene.
In summary, graphene is a two-dimensional material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. It has exceptional physical properties and has attracted significant research interest. While there are methods to produce graphene flakes, such as through exfoliation, alternative methods like CVD offer scalability and the ability to produce high-quality graphene.
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