Graphene – The Revolutionary Material

Graphene – The Thinnest Material Known to Science

Piyal Roy

Material Science Researcher | Published May 24, 2025

Nanotechnology Physics Innovation

Carbon, one of the most versatile elements in the periodic table, forms the basis of many allotropes such as diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerenes, carbon nano tubes (CNTs) etc. Among these Graphene has created a revolution in the field of material science. It is just one thick atom, sp2 hybridized, consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Despite being incredibly thin, graphene is also exceptionally strong (200 times stronger than steel), lightweight, flexible, and highly conductive—both electrically and thermally.

Because of these properties, it’s considered a 2D material and has inspired a lot of research in fields like electronics, materials science, and energy storage.

History of Graphene

In 1947, physicist Philip R. Wallace, working on the electronic properties of graphite, published a paper titled “The Band Theory of Graphite”. In it, he used a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice model to describe graphite’s conduction properties. Though graphene wasn’t isolated, this was the first theoretical description of what we now call graphene — a single layer of carbon atoms.

The actual isolation of graphene, a single-atom-thick layer of graphite, came much later, in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, using a technique like mechanical exfoliation. Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov were awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics “for groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene”.

Several institutes dedicated to graphene research exist. The most prominent is the National Graphene Institute (NGI) at the University of Manchester, where graphene was first isolated. Additionally, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the same university focuses on commercializing graphene applications. Other institutions involved in graphene research include the Henry Royce Institute and The Graphene Council.

Applications

Biomedical Applications

Biomedical applications of graphene are a fascinating new area beyond imagination. Drug delivery, gene and protein delivery, photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, biosensors, bioimaging applications of graphene derivatives, graphene derivatives as an antimicrobial agent, graphene substrate for tissue engineering etc.

Electronics and Semiconductors

Graphene transistors can operate at higher frequencies than traditional silicon ones. It is used in bendable smartphones, wearables, and foldable displays due to its flexibility and conductivity. Moreover, graphene has transparent conductors which can be used in replacing indium tin oxide (ITO) in touchscreens, OLEDs, and solar panels.

Energy Storage and Generation

Graphene provides longer life and faster charging to lithium-ion batteries. It also provides high power density and fast charge/discharge cycles to supercapacitors. It is used to increase efficiency and transparency in photovoltaic cells.

Composites and Coatings

Graphene is added to plastics, metals, or ceramics to enhance strength, durability, and thermal conductivity. It protects metals from rust and degradation and improves the fire resistance properties of materials.

Water Filtration and Desalination

Graphene oxide membranes can filter out salts, heavy metals, and even radioactive materials efficiently. It is also useful for sterilization and clean water systems.

Thermal Management

Graphene is ideal for managing heat in electronics, batteries, and LEDs.

Aerospace and Automotive

Graphene provides lightweight structure which increases fuel efficiency by reducing weight while maintaining strength.

Extraction/Preparation of Graphene

The most common conventional method to produce graphene is via mechanical exfoliation method which is also known as “scotch-tape method”. By using a scotch-tape, high purity graphite will be separated into a few layers of graphene. Due to van der Walles attraction it has become very challenging to separate graphene.

CVD (Chemical vapor deposition) is comparatively easier method to produce graphene with desired features. Recently Graphene has been derived from rice husk, chitosan, plastic waste, corn stalk core and other agricultural waste. Now researchers are trying to prepare graphene from tannery waste. They use graphene as adsorbent for the removal of Cr from tannery wastewater, graphene nanocomposite for leather tanning, graphene bio composite for the recycling of tannery wastewater, graphene nanocomposite for the removal of turbidity from tannery wastewater etc.

Conclusion

The preparation of graphene from tannery wastewater or solid waste represents a promising approach to sustainable waste valorization. Tannery effluents and solid residues, often rich in organic and inorganic carbonaceous materials, offer a feasible precursor for graphene synthesis through methods such as the modified Hummers method, pyrolysis, or hydrothermal carbonization.

Research demonstrates that graphene derived from these wastes can be effectively utilized in various environmental applications, including heavy metal adsorption, turbidity reduction, and membrane filtration enhancements. Additionally, incorporating graphene-based nanomaterials into leather tanning processes or bio composites can improve product performance while mitigating environmental pollution.

This dual-purpose strategy not only contributes to waste management and pollution control but also enables the development of value-added nanomaterials from industrial by-products. However, further research is needed to optimize extraction methods, ensure consistent material quality, and assess large-scale feasibility and economic viability.