Graphene is a compound composed of a single layer of carbon atoms linked together in a hexagonal pattern. Graphene is both extremely light and strong, and can conduct electricity, which makes it an exciting material for research in a variety of applications, such as aerospace and mobile devices. Unfortunately, it is very challenging to produce quickly and in bulk. Currently, the best way to produce graphene is to take graphite, the kind you might use in a pencil, remove a layer with regular office tape, and then separate off the single layer graphene sheets. However, this is slow and expensive. Other methods, such as depositing vapor from a gas to form graphene or using chemical treatments of graphite, can be more efficient, but they tend to produce more impurities in the resulting graphene.
Recently, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Patna developed a way to produce graphene using a plasma gun that they hope is scalable while still producing high quality material. Plasma guns take gas-phase ions, which are charged particles, and spray them at a surface. In the case of graphene, when the ions hit the surface at a high temperature, single layers of graphene are separated from the 3-D graphite structure. A centrifuge, which spins samples quickly to separate them based on density, can then be used to separate the remaining graphite from the graphene produced and ensure high purity. This method is attractive because it can produce single-layer graphene 85% of the time without dangerous chemicals or expensive solvents.
The researchers estimate that the plasma gun method costs about $1.12 per gram of graphene. Right now, at the lab scale, this method can produce 48 grams of graphene in one hour, but researchers hope to be able to scale that up to produce more of the compound in the future.
The first author Aminul Islam works in Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna and focuses on plasma sprayed coatings.
Managing Correspondent: Emily Kerr
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Image Credit: LaurensvanLieshout Plasma spray process
Do you know of any commercially available Graphene generators that could run off of a plasma conversion unit ? Thanks for any info.
So I produce top grade Bio Char that is certified high grade by a lab were talking 1000s of tons . I’m looking for partners with the knowledge of how to turn it into GRAPHENE from Bio Char . The Bio Char I have is 80 % plus on the carbon scale.
Is there a biproduct of synthfuel?
I worked on a prototype activated charcoal and synthfuel producing process using field straw. I was curious of its progression as well as overall. Several years ago WSU and other ag state universities were also in trials. The main issue was coming then. Just professional curiosity at point.
I’m confused…. recently I watched a Youtube on the Brits using graphene in highway construction. What do they know that the rest of us don’t know about bulk graphene production?
This is indeed a very interesting method. It took us also quite a while at nanoEMI to develop a method resulting in FLG which would be without chemical contamination. We targeted though at uses in EMC composites and I think there will be people interested in the Indian technology. Now we have another method which also gives 2-3 layers of graphene at low cost and high volume especially for batteries sector (and without any residual chemicals).
Anyway, congrats to the inventors!
Please I would love to know this method giving 2-3layers of graphene at low cost and high volume for my project development. Thanks
This a novel and interesting process.
What is the typical area of the graphene produced in this process, please?
Clive Delmonte
Interested in masss production of graphene