Graphene - Properties and characterization

Abstract

Graphene is the two-dimensional allotrope of carbon, consisting of a hexagonal arrangement of carbon atoms on a single plane. This chapter explores the history of graphene, as the theoretical building block for other carbon allotropes as well as its rise as a material in its own right in recent years. Graphene can be fabricated by different methods including mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, and decomposition of SiC, although bulk-quantity production of pristine graphene remains a challenge. The atomic and electronic structure of graphene is described, highlighting the strong correlation in graphene between structure and properties, as is the case with other carbon allotropes. Graphene exhibits a number of unique and superlative electronic and optical properties. The intrinsic properties of graphene can be tailored by nanofabrication, chemistry, electromagnetic fields, etc. Various applications of graphene have been proposed in electronic, optoelectronic, and mechanical products. In addition, graphene has emerged as a candidate in chemical, biochemical, and biological applications. Derivatives of graphene such as graphene oxide or graphane are also of interest in terms of both fundamental graphane graphene oxide (GO) properties and applications.