Graphene: Materially Better Carbon

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2010 · MRS Bull.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs2010.551· OSTI ID:1064931

Fuhrer, M. S.; Lau, C. N.; MacDonald, A. H.

Graphene, a single atom–thick plane of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice, has captivated the attention of physicists, materials scientists, and engineers alike over the five years following its experimental isolation. Graphene is a fundamentally new type of electronic material whose electrons are strictly confined to a two-dimensional plane and exhibit properties akin to those of ultrarelativistic particles. Graphene's two-dimensional form suggests compatibility with conventional wafer processing technology. Extraordinary physical properties, including exceedingly high charge carrier mobility, current-carrying capacity, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity, make it an enticing candidate for new electronic technologies both within and beyond complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS). Immediate graphene applications include high-speed analog electronics and highly conductive, flexible, transparent thin films for displays and optoelectronics. Currently, much graphene research is focused on generating and tuning a bandgap and on novel device structures that exploit graphene's extraordinary electrical, optical, and mechanical properties.

• Research Organization: Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC); Nanostructures for Electrical Energy Storage (NEES)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC Office of Basic Energy Sciences (SC-22)
• DOE Contract Number: SC0001160
• OSTI ID: 1064931
• Journal Information: MRS Bull., Journal Name: MRS Bull. Journal Issue: 04 Vol. 35; ISSN 0883-7694
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
bio-inspired
energy storage (including batteries and capacitors)
defects
charge transport
synthesis (novel materials)
synthesis (self-assembly)
synthesis (scalable processing)