A closer look at the science behind our Graphene, along with answers to your most pressing questions.
Graphene is a 2D nanomaterial made of pure and earth-abundant carbon. It is a 1-atom thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Stacking thousands of graphene layers together gives us graphite.
Graphene is referred to as a ‘wonder material’ due to its extraordinary combination of properties that set it apart from other materials.
Graphene exists in two main forms: graphene powder, produced by exfoliating flakes from graphite, and CVD graphene, synthesized from methane as a continuous sheet. Each has distinct properties and applications. CVD graphene more closely resembles “true” graphene, retaining its exceptional characteristics, while graphene powder behaves more like graphite/carbon black powders.
CVD graphene is a continuous, pristine film with atomic thickness ( typically 1-10 atoms) but macroscopic length and width (meter- to kilometer-scale). CVD graphene is produced by bottom-up synthesis approaches, giving it higher quality and characteristics more closely resembling ‘true’ graphene. CVD graphene suitable for applications requiring transparency and excellent barrier properties at atomic thinness (<5 nm), and high electronic quality. In contrast, Graphene Oxide (GO) and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) are typically powders or chemically modified flakes with higher defect densities and lower conductivity, generally used as additives in composites or inks rather than as standalone functional layers. These powders are typically produced by top-down exfoliation of graphite, and are suitable as fillers or thick, opaque coatings.
Unlike other graphene which is typically supplied on native copper catalyst, our graphene is provided on a specialized water-soluble sacrificial polymer film. This unique carrier system greatly simplifies the transfer process, allows lamination onto a wider range of substrates, and helps standardize handling to reduce costs and complexity for the end-user.
We have observed no noticeable degradation for 2-3 years under proper storage conditions, so there is no strict shelf life; however, you can verify quality by checking the sheet resistance, as a noticeable increase suggests damage. Products should be stored in a dark room away from sunlight and moisture and strong lighting, and ideally at 60% humidity, and kept away from metallic or ceramic surfaces that could cause abrasive damage. Avoid storing the films in a manner that will lead to repeated sliding contact of surfaces with the graphene-coated side.
The graphene film appears grey on the polymer film, and can be identified by eye. When shipped, the graphene-coated side of the film is front-facing in the container, identifiable by the side the label/logo is attached. We recommend marking this side with a pen/marker immediately after cutting to maintain orientation. If you lose track, you can measure the sheet resistance with a multimeter; the side showing measurable resistance is typically the graphene side.
Since monolayer graphene is highly transparent, it is often difficult to see with the naked eye. For our multilayered films, often the contrast is sufficiently high to be able to verify the transfer by eye. The most reliable verification methods are Raman spectroscopy (to check structural integrity) or a simple electrical check using a multimeter to confirm surface conductivity. On standard silicon wafers with a 90 nm or 285 nm oxide layer, graphene may also be visible via optical contrast. Alternatively, one can visualize the graphene on the surface through Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which provides unequivocal proof of transfer efficacy and continuity of the graphene film.
The graphene film is highly sensitive to mechanical friction and shear stress; rubbing any material forcefully against the surface will damage the graphene. Contact with metallic or ceramic tweezers will also damage the film. We advise handling the foil only by the edges using polymeric tweezers, avoiding any forceful sliding across the surface.
