Graphene: The New Two‐Dimensional Nanomaterial

TLDR

Graphene, a two‑dimensional carbon material, has attracted attention for its unique properties such as half‑integer quantum Hall effect and ballistic electron transport, and research has expanded beyond single layers to few‑layer forms. The authors aim to review the current status of graphene research. They discuss synthesis, characterization, structure, and properties of graphene.

Abstract

Abstract Every few years, a new material with unique properties emerges and fascinates the scientific community, typical recent examples being high‐temperature superconductors and carbon nanotubes. Graphene is the latest sensation with unusual properties, such as half‐integer quantum Hall effect and ballistic electron transport. This two‐dimensional material which is the parent of all graphitic carbon forms is strictly expected to comprise a single layer, but there is considerable interest in investigating two‐layer and few‐layer graphenes as well. Synthesis and characterization of graphenes pose challenges, but there has been considerable progress in the last year or so. Herein, we present the status of graphene research which includes aspects related to synthesis, characterization, structure, and properties.