Elicarb® Graphene Products

Graphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon, and sits alongside C60 (0-D), carbon nanotubes (1-D), and graphite (3-D) in the family of sp2-bonded forms of carbon. It consists of single atomic layers of carbon (~0.3nm thick) while extending many hundreds of nanometres in the lateral dimension.

Since its isolation in 2004, this ‘wonder material’ has been shown to possess a startling array of superlative properties. As well as being the thinnest material, it is the strongest material ever discovered (breaking strength of 42 Nm^-2, 100 times greater than steel). It shows electrical and thermal conductivity greater than copper at a fraction of the weight. It absorbs only 2.3% of the light passing through it, allowing transparent films to be manufactured, which retain the other properties mentioned above.

As an illustration, if we were to make a hammock from a sheet of graphene 1m², it would weigh 0.77mg, and would be invisible to the naked eye.

Potential applications for graphene include mechanical reinforcement of polymers, transparent conductive materials, flexible electronics, super-capacitors, thermoelectric materials, printable electronics and thermal management materials.

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Collaboration with TCD Dublin

While graphene has been demonstrated to possess incredible properties, a large scale production method is required before they can be fully realised. Thomas Swan is currently working in collaboration with Professor Coleman at Trinity College Dublin to develop a process to produce large amounts of high quality graphene flakes.

TCD is one of the world leading centres for the exfoliation of low-dimensional nanomaterials, and the expertise this offers is invaluable to ensure the quality of the product that is produced through this process.

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