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By: Pooja Rani.
Assistant professor, Department of Physics, M.M. Modi College, Patiala, Punjab,
India.
Graphene, a single or few layers of the humble graphite and consisting of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice, is the flagbearer of revolutionary technology called nanotechnology, which deals with materials on the nanoscale (1–100 nm). It has been hailed as a “wonder material” ever since its Nobel prize-winning discovery in 2004. The theoretical study of graphene was started in 1947 by physicist Philip R. Wallace as a first step to understanding the electronic structure of graphite. The term graphene was introduced by chemists Hanns–Peter Boehm, Ralph Setton, and Eberhard Stumpp in 1986 as a combination of the word graphite and the suffix -ene. With remarkable electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, it has attracted global interest in research and investment. It was even touted to replace silicon in next-gen electronics. The fact that graphene created a whole new class of materials is arguably its most lasting legacy. The focus shifted to other layered materials once scientists proved that a single atomic layer could exist and be stable. A variety of two-dimensional materials with distinct qualities quickly developed. This expansion revolutionized condensed matter physics and materials science. When scientists started stacking various two-dimensional layers, they discovered novel phenomena like tunable optical responses and exotic electronic states. In this way, the real significance of graphene might not be found in its practical uses but rather in the paradigm shift it spurred. However, nearly two decades later, graphene’s real-world commercial applications remain limited. This article critically evaluates whether graphene lives up to its hype by examining its potential, current applications, mass production challenges, and commercial realities.
Keywords: Bandgap, carbon, electronics, graphene,Two-Dimensional Materials.
Citation:
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