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.

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1.  Novoselov KS, Geim AK, et al. Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science. 2004;306(5696):666–669.
2. Bonaccorso F, et al. Graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems for energy conversion and storage. Science. 2010;347(6217).
3.  Katsnelson MI. Graphene: carbon in two dimensions. Mater Today. 2007;10:20–27.
4. Castro Neto AH, Guinea F, Peres NMR, Novoselov KS, Geim AK. The electronic properties of graphene. Rev Mod Phys. 2009;81:109–162.
5. Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW, Hone J. Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science. 2008;321:385–388.
6. Balandin AA. Thermal properties of graphene and nanostructured carbon materials. Nat Mater. 2011;10:569. doi:10.1038/nmat3064.
7. Nair RR, Blake P, Grigorenko AN, Novoselov KS, Booth TJ, Stauber T, et al. Fine structure constant defines visual transparency of graphene. Science. 2008;320:1308.
8. Two-dimensional materials like graphene. Graphene advantages | strong, lightweight & flexible. Available from: https://modern-physics.org/two-dimensional-materials-like-graphene. Accessed May 15, 2025.
9. Critchley L. Could graphene replace silicon-based materials in electronics? AzoNano. Available from: www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5643. Accessed May 16, 2025.
10. Olabi AG, Abdelkareem MA, Wilberforce T, Sayed ET. Application of graphene in energy storage device – A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2021;135:110026. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110026.
11. The role of graphene in energy storage continues to evolve. Graphene Council. 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025.
12. Li X, Zh L. Graphene hybridization for energy storage applications. Chem Soc Rev. 2018;47:3189– 3216.
13. Graphene in healthcare applications. The Graphene Council. Available from: https://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/page/Healthcare. Accessed June 23, 2025.
14. Arkowski J, Obremska M, Kędzierski K, Sławuta A, Wawrzyńska M. Applications for graphene and its derivatives in medical devices: Current knowledge and future applications. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2020;29(12):1497–1504. doi: 10.17219/acem/130601.
15. Han S, Sun J, He S, Tang M, Chai R. The application of graphene-based biomaterials in biomedicine. Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(6):3246–3260.
16. Graphene. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene.
17. Mbayachi VB, Ndayiragije E, Sammani T, Taj S, Mbuta ER, Khan AU. Graphene synthesis, characterization and its applications: A review. Results Chem. 2021;3:100163. doi:
18. 1016/j.rechem.2021.100163.
19. Bhuyan SA, Uddin MN, Islam MM, Bipasha FA, Hossain SS. Synthesis of graphene. Int Nano Lett. 2016;6:65–83.
20. Liu B, Ma S. Precise synthesis of graphene by chemical vapor deposition. Nanoscale. 2024;16:4407–4433.
21. Mastropasqua C, El Alouani A, Paillet M, et al. Self-limited monolayer graphene growth on SiC with propane-hydrogen CVD. npj 2D Mater Appl. 2025;9:32.
22. Thompson K. Analyzing graphene production cost factors. Available from: https://physixis.com/articles/understanding-graphene-production-cost-factors. Accessed June 28, 2025.
23. Zurutuza A, Marinelli C. Challenges and opportunities in graphene commercialization. Nat Nanotechnol. 2014;9:730–734. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2014.225.
24. Theodoropoulou A, Gkika DA, Alodhayb A, et al. A critical evaluation of the safety datasheets of graphene materials. J Nanopart Res. 2023;25:99.
25. Fadeel B, Baker J, Ballerini L, Bussy C, Candotto Carniel F, Tretiach M, et al. Safety assessment of graphene-based materials. Small. 2025;21(7):e2404570.
26. Graphene: health and safety. Graphene Flagship. Available from: https://graphene- flagship.eu/materials/health-and-safety. Accessed June 30, 2025.
27. Zhan M, Xu M, Lin W, He H, He C. Graphene oxide research: Current developments and future directions. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2025;15(7):507. doi: 10.3390/nano15070507.
28. Ikram R, Jan BM, Ahmad W. An overview of industrial scalable production of graphene oxide and analytical approaches for synthesis and characterization. J Mater Res Technol. 2020;9:11587–11610.
29. Li S, Liu Y, Zhao X, Shen Q, Zhao W, Tan Q, et al. Sandwich-like heterostructures of MoS2/graphene with enlarged interlayer spacing and enhanced hydrophilicity as high-performance cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Adv Mater. 2021;33:2007480.
30. Maggini L, Ferreira RR. 2D material hybrid heterostructures: Achievements and challenges towards high throughput fabrication. J Mater Chem C. 2021;9:15721–15734.
31. Yankowitz M, Ma Q, Jarillo-Herrero P, et al. Van der Waals heterostructures combining graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. Nat Rev Phys. 2019;1:112–125.
32. Pham T, Ramnani P, Villarreal CC, Lopez J, Das P, Lee I, et al. MoS2-graphene heterostructures as efficient organic compounds sensing 2D materials. Carbon. 2019;142:504–512.
33. Lv Q, Lv R. Two-dimensional heterostructures based on graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides: Synthesis, transfer and applications. Carbon. 2019;145:240–250.
34. Graphene standardisation. Graphene Flagship. Available from: https://graphene flagship.eu/industrialisation/standardisation. Accessed June 30, 2025.
35. Mishra S, Jindal T, Choudhary R. Going green and sustainable with graphene: A wider prospect. Mater Today Proc. 2023;73:372–375.
36. Luong DX, Bets KV, Algozeeb WA, et al. Gram-scale bottom-up flash graphene synthesis. Nature. 2020;577:647–651.

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.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1.  Novoselov KS, Geim AK, et al. Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science. 2004;306(5696):666–669.
2. Bonaccorso F, et al. Graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems for energy conversion and storage. Science. 2010;347(6217).
3.  Katsnelson MI. Graphene: carbon in two dimensions. Mater Today. 2007;10:20–27.
4. Castro Neto AH, Guinea F, Peres NMR, Novoselov KS, Geim AK. The electronic properties of graphene. Rev Mod Phys. 2009;81:109–162.
5. Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW, Hone J. Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science. 2008;321:385–388.
6. Balandin AA. Thermal properties of graphene and nanostructured carbon materials. Nat Mater. 2011;10:569. doi:10.1038/nmat3064.
7. Nair RR, Blake P, Grigorenko AN, Novoselov KS, Booth TJ, Stauber T, et al. Fine structure constant defines visual transparency of graphene. Science. 2008;320:1308.
8. Two-dimensional materials like graphene. Graphene advantages | strong, lightweight & flexible. Available from: https://modern-physics.org/two-dimensional-materials-like-graphene. Accessed May 15, 2025.
9. Critchley L. Could graphene replace silicon-based materials in electronics? AzoNano. Available from: www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5643. Accessed May 16, 2025.
10. Olabi AG, Abdelkareem MA, Wilberforce T, Sayed ET. Application of graphene in energy storage device – A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2021;135:110026. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110026.
11. The role of graphene in energy storage continues to evolve. Graphene Council. 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025.
12. Li X, Zh L. Graphene hybridization for energy storage applications. Chem Soc Rev. 2018;47:3189– 3216.
13. Graphene in healthcare applications. The Graphene Council. Available from: https://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/page/Healthcare. Accessed June 23, 2025.
14. Arkowski J, Obremska M, Kędzierski K, Sławuta A, Wawrzyńska M. Applications for graphene and its derivatives in medical devices: Current knowledge and future applications. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2020;29(12):1497–1504. doi: 10.17219/acem/130601.
15. Han S, Sun J, He S, Tang M, Chai R. The application of graphene-based biomaterials in biomedicine. Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(6):3246–3260.
16. Graphene. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene.
17. Mbayachi VB, Ndayiragije E, Sammani T, Taj S, Mbuta ER, Khan AU. Graphene synthesis, characterization and its applications: A review. Results Chem. 2021;3:100163. doi:
18. 1016/j.rechem.2021.100163.
19. Bhuyan SA, Uddin MN, Islam MM, Bipasha FA, Hossain SS. Synthesis of graphene. Int Nano Lett. 2016;6:65–83.
20. Liu B, Ma S. Precise synthesis of graphene by chemical vapor deposition. Nanoscale. 2024;16:4407–4433.
21. Mastropasqua C, El Alouani A, Paillet M, et al. Self-limited monolayer graphene growth on SiC with propane-hydrogen CVD. npj 2D Mater Appl. 2025;9:32.
22. Thompson K. Analyzing graphene production cost factors. Available from: https://physixis.com/articles/understanding-graphene-production-cost-factors. Accessed June 28, 2025.
23. Zurutuza A, Marinelli C. Challenges and opportunities in graphene commercialization. Nat Nanotechnol. 2014;9:730–734. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2014.225.
24. Theodoropoulou A, Gkika DA, Alodhayb A, et al. A critical evaluation of the safety datasheets of graphene materials. J Nanopart Res. 2023;25:99.
25. Fadeel B, Baker J, Ballerini L, Bussy C, Candotto Carniel F, Tretiach M, et al. Safety assessment of graphene-based materials. Small. 2025;21(7):e2404570.
26. Graphene: health and safety. Graphene Flagship. Available from: https://graphene- flagship.eu/materials/health-and-safety. Accessed June 30, 2025.
27. Zhan M, Xu M, Lin W, He H, He C. Graphene oxide research: Current developments and future directions. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2025;15(7):507. doi: 10.3390/nano15070507.
28. Ikram R, Jan BM, Ahmad W. An overview of industrial scalable production of graphene oxide and analytical approaches for synthesis and characterization. J Mater Res Technol. 2020;9:11587–11610.
29. Li S, Liu Y, Zhao X, Shen Q, Zhao W, Tan Q, et al. Sandwich-like heterostructures of MoS2/graphene with enlarged interlayer spacing and enhanced hydrophilicity as high-performance cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Adv Mater. 2021;33:2007480.
30. Maggini L, Ferreira RR. 2D material hybrid heterostructures: Achievements and challenges towards high throughput fabrication. J Mater Chem C. 2021;9:15721–15734.
31. Yankowitz M, Ma Q, Jarillo-Herrero P, et al. Van der Waals heterostructures combining graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. Nat Rev Phys. 2019;1:112–125.
32. Pham T, Ramnani P, Villarreal CC, Lopez J, Das P, Lee I, et al. MoS2-graphene heterostructures as efficient organic compounds sensing 2D materials. Carbon. 2019;142:504–512.
33. Lv Q, Lv R. Two-dimensional heterostructures based on graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides: Synthesis, transfer and applications. Carbon. 2019;145:240–250.
34. Graphene standardisation. Graphene Flagship. Available from: https://graphene flagship.eu/industrialisation/standardisation. Accessed June 30, 2025.
35. Mishra S, Jindal T, Choudhary R. Going green and sustainable with graphene: A wider prospect. Mater Today Proc. 2023;73:372–375.
36. Luong DX, Bets KV, Algozeeb WA, et al. Gram-scale bottom-up flash graphene synthesis. Nature. 2020;577:647–651.