Experimental, Observational Or Theoretical Physics. Graphene

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Abstract
For a long time, graphene has only been a theory to scientists. Graphite is widely used, and scientists took a long time studying whether it is possible to obtain a single layer of graphite to obtain a material called graphene. The research involved coming up with a way of obtaining a single thin layer from graphite. Some of the questions involved were: What machines would be used? What was the ideal stage of isolating the single layer? How long would it take? Would graphene be useful independently after being isolated from graphite? What are some of its uses? How important is it to isolate graphene?
According to Nicol, the first sample of graphene was finally isolated by two scientists named Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester (2019). Their research was somehow controversial due to the manner in which they made the discovery. They made the discovery using a tape, which they were using to polish graphite. They found some flakes which seemed very light and transparent. This discovery seemed untrue and was even rejected by magazines which did not want to publish such vague information/discovery. However, upon proper testing and research by scientists, their discovery was finally accepted and was considered to be scientifically workable. This discovery was finally published in the year 2010. Since the publication of the discovery in 2010, graphene has now been popular and is being used widespread. It is funny how after being isolated from graphite, graphene is stronger than graphite, it is actually the strongest material ever discovered and has extensive uses as compared to graphite. It is for this reason that it has been used for strength enhancement to metals and plastics, among its many other uses. Despite the many uses that have been discovered, even more extensive uses are being discovered by scientists day by day.
Graphene and its Uses
What is Graphene?
Graphene can be simply defined as a single layer of graphite and thus it is okay to say that graphite consists of many layers of graphene. When several sheets of graphene are put together in a stack, they end up forming graphite. Graphite is the dark material that is used to make pencils, among its other many uses and is a component of carbon. This means that graphene and graphite possess the same component of carbon, the only difference being the arrangement of carbon. The difference in carbon arrangement brings about the difference in properties and uses of graphene and graphite. It is funny how graphene is isolated from graphite and yet after its isolation, it has developed even more uses than graphite. This can only be explained by the fact that after its isolation, the properties formed are totally different from those of graphite.
After its isolation from graphite graphene develops totally different characteristics from graphite and thus its uses are extensive and totally different from those of graphite. For example, graphite is known to be one of the softest mineral in the world and thus suitable for some of its functions such as being used as a lubricant, unlike graphene is known to be one of the strongest mineral in the world which makes its uses totally different from those of graphite. Since graphene was recently discovered, its uses still evolve and with time, even more uses will emerge. The high strength of graphene is attributed to the strong bonds between its atoms.
The image below shows the physical structure of graphene, courtesy of the internet.
Characteristics of Graphene
1 Transparency. Since graphene is a thin layer of graphite, one of its major characteristics is how it appears to be transparent. It is visibly transparent and it allows light to pass through it. This has acted as an advantage since due to its transparency, it has been used in several ways such as in making solar cells which needs transparency for passage of light. This property is used in conjunction with its high electrical conductivity and thus it is viewed perfect in making solar cells. The use of graphene in making solar cells is very efficient since cells that are more flexible and have less weight are produced.
2 Bendable. Another major characteristics of graphene is how flexible it is. This is because it is just a thin layer, hence it can be folded. Due to its foldability, it has been used in making of portable electric devices since it ensures that effects of breakages are minimal. Defects that arise due to bending of materials such as fractures are therefore minimal and thus this makes its use even more extensive. In future, companies that make smartphones and tablets should consider using graphene as this would mean that smartphones could be folded just like a paper without having any defects making them to become even more durable.
3 Conductivity. Graphene has high electrical conductivity and is known as the material that has the minimum electrical resistivity at room temperature, it has low electrical resistance than even silicon. Since it is a fast electrical conductor, graphene could be used to make transistors, however, it has been scientifically proven to be unfit for the task because it lacks a bandgap. A bandgap is a really important factor in making transistors. However, there are possibilities that in future it can be used for this function because there are some ways that are being scientifically developed on how to open a bandgap.
4 Impermeable. Since its discovery, graphene has been scientifically proven to be impermeable to most molecules of gases and liquids. However, it has been proven that water molecules can be able to pass through graphene. Therefore, this works as an advantage since it can be used to remove all impurities found in water, since they cannot pass through it. This impermeability is attributed to the very strong bonds in its atomic structure.
5 Its strength. It is amazing how despite its very small thickness, graphene is o...