Single layer of carbon atoms “torn” out with tape

When discussing graphene, we should first discuss the all-natural mineral graphite that is commonly existing in our daily life.

As an allotrope of carbon, graphite is a layered material, and the carbon atoms inside graphite are organized layer by layer. Carbon atoms in the very same layer “hold hands” and are carefully attached, but the mix of carbon atoms in between various layers is loose, like a pile of playing cards. With a gentle press, the cards will certainly move apart.

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From the perspective of chemical structure, graphite is a transitional crystal in between atomic crystals, metal crystals and molecular crystals. In the crystal, carbon atoms in the exact same layer kind covalent bonds with sp2 hybridization, each carbon atom is linked to three various other carbon atoms, and 6 carbon atoms form a normal hexagonal ring on the same airplane, stretching to form a sheet framework.

If graphite is a stack of playing cards, then graphene is just one of the cards in this stack of playing cards. Graphene is a two-dimensional product made up of a single layer of carbon atoms. Stacking graphene layer by layer is graphite. A 1 mm thick graphite includes concerning 3 million layers of graphene.

Although graphene exists in nature, it is tough to peel a solitary layer structure.

More than two decades ago, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, researchers at the College of Manchester in the UK, thought that there must be a way to obtain a single layer of graphite.

Just how can a single layer of graphite be peeled? Scientists took a really “basic and crude” method – sticking it with tape.

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

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In the experiment, researchers stuck both sides of pyrolytic graphite flakes to a special tape, and tore off the tape, the graphite sheet was split into two. Although the thickness of graphite at this time is still far from that of a solitary layer of graphite, researchers have validated the expediency of this method – each time the tape is used, the graphite comes to be thinner. By insisting on using this “mechanical peeling method” to repeat the procedure, they ultimately acquired a slim sheet containing only one layer of carbon atoms, which is graphene.

Nevertheless, this technique of repeatedly exfoliating graphite sheets with tape to acquire graphene has reduced production performance and can just be utilized to prepare micron-thick graphene, and can not be mass-produced industrially.

Later, with the enhancement of clinical and technical degrees, the prep work technique of graphene has additionally made great progress. Today, along with this standard physical and mechanical exfoliation technique, there are also lots of approaches for preparing graphene, such as redox technique, solvent peeling technique, chemical vapor deposition, etc

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