Graphene, the new nanocarbon

TLDR

Graphene is a fascinating new nanocarbon consisting of single, bi- or few-layer sheets of carbon atoms arranged in six-membered rings. The study aims to explore synthetic strategies that produce sufficient quantities of graphene with a controlled number of layers. The authors investigated different graphene types using X‑ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Single- and bi-layer graphene exhibit extraordinary electronic properties, while gas adsorption, magnetic, electrochemical characteristics, doping effects, and molecular charge‑transfer also significantly influence its electronic structure.

Abstract

Graphene is a fascinating new nanocarbon possessing, single-, bi- or few- (≤ ten) layers of carbon atoms forming six-membered rings. Different types of graphene have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The extraordinary electronic properties of single-and bi-layer graphenes are indeed most unique and unexpected. Other properties of graphene such as gas adsorption characteristics, magnetic and electrochemical properties and the effects of doping by electrons and holes are equally noteworthy. Interestingly, molecular charge-transfer also markedly affects the electronic structure and properties of graphene. Many aspects of graphene are yet to be explored, including synthetic strategies which can yield sufficient quantities of graphene with the desired number of layers.