Single layer of carbon atoms “torn” out with tape making graphene visible

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When talking about graphene, we have to first point out the natural mineral graphite that is widely existing in our every day life.

As an allotrope of carbon, graphite is a split material, and the carbon atoms inside graphite are set up layer by layer. Carbon atoms in the very same layer “hold hands” and are closely linked, but the combination of carbon atoms in between different layers is loose, like a stack of playing cards. With a gentle press, the cards will slide apart.

Single layer of carbon atoms “torn” out with tape making graphene visible插图

(Graphene Powder)

From the viewpoint of chemical framework, graphite is a transitional crystal between atomic crystals, steel crystals and molecular crystals. In the crystal, carbon atoms in the exact same layer kind covalent bonds with sp2 hybridization, each carbon atom is attached to three other carbon atoms, and 6 carbon atoms create a normal hexagonal ring on the same plane, stretching to create a sheet framework.

If graphite is a pile of playing cards, then graphene is among the cards in this pile of playing cards. Graphene is a two-dimensional product made up of a solitary layer of carbon atoms. Piling graphene layer by layer is graphite. A 1 mm thick graphite consists of regarding 3 million layers of graphene.

Although graphene exists in nature, it is hard to remove a single layer structure.

Greater than twenty years earlier, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, scientists at the University of Manchester in the UK, believed that there need to be a way to obtain a single layer of graphite.

Exactly how can a single layer of graphite be peeled? Researchers took a really “basic and crude” approach – sticking it with tape.

“Similar to when we create a typo theoretically, we will stick the typo with tape.” Based on this, researchers boldly connect that if tape can stay with the surface of paper, can it also stay with layers of graphite?

Single layer of carbon atoms “torn” out with tape making graphene visible插图1

( TRUNNANO Graphenen Powder)

In the experiment, scientists stuck both sides of pyrolytic graphite flakes to an unique tape, and tore off the tape, the graphite sheet was divided into two. Although the thickness of graphite at this time is still far from that of a solitary layer of graphite, scientists have actually confirmed the usefulness of this technique – each time the tape is utilized, the graphite becomes thinner. By insisting on utilizing this “mechanical exfoliation technique” to duplicate the procedure, they finally got a slim sheet including only one layer of carbon atoms, which is graphene.

Nonetheless, this method of consistently scrubing graphite sheets with tape to get graphene has low manufacturing effectiveness and can only be utilized to prepare micron-thick graphene, and can not be mass-produced industrially.

Later, with the renovation of clinical and technical levels, the preparation approach of graphene has actually also made terrific development. Currently, in addition to this traditional physical and mechanical peeling method, there are likewise several approaches for preparing graphene, such as redox approach, solvent exfoliation technique, chemical vapor deposition, etc

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TRUNNANO is a supplier of 3D Printing Materials with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. It accepts payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea. If you want to know more about making graphene visible, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.


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