The opportunity for graphene nanomaterials in energy applications

Abstract

Graphene is a true 21st century material, and has the potential to enable revolutionary products based on its mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, transparency and other properties based on manipulation of the physics and chemistry of a sheet of carbon atoms just one layer thick. 'Nanographene' (nanoscale graphene flakes) is positioned to challenge conventional materials as well as carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes for future applications in flexible electronics, composites and energy storage due to its properties and potential manufacturing cost advantages. The uses for graphene are endless, and energy applications seem well suited to accept the physical and chemical advantages, the graphene has to offer. This article discusses the recent activity of nanographene, and how the energy landscape can accommodate this new material that is rife with potential to disrupt the status quo.Graphene is a true 21st century material, isolated for the first time in 2003 by Andre Gleim and Kostya Novoselov at the University of Manchester who were awarded a Nobel Prize for their discovery in 2010. It has the potential to enable revolutionary products based on its mechanical strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, transparency and other properties based on manipulation of the physics and chemistry of a sheet of carbon atoms just one-layer thick.Graphene comes in two categories: sheets made by deposition and flakes made by exfoliation of bulk materials. Large area sheets are being investigated for uses in electronic device, sensor and display applications. 'Nanographene' (nanoscale graphene flakes) is positioned to challenge conventional materials as well as carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes for future applications in flexible electronics, composites and energy storage due to its properties and potential manufacturing cost advantages.Companies providing graphene are too numerous to list, but despite its unique advantages, the marketplace has not adopted products containing graphene with the wild abandon that was initially projected. This could partially be due to challenges associated with scaling production while providing consistent, high-quality material (flat, not wrinkled; single or few layer stacks; controlled size range and low oxygen content) as well as challenges related to integrating the material into commercial production processes. However, a few commercial products have entered the market. MeadWestvaco Corporation and Vorbeck Materials have announced an antitheft packaging solution utilizing printed graphene electronics based on Vorbeck's Vor-Ink. Ovation Polymers offer conductive composites incorporating graphite nanoplatelets and graphene for electrostatic dissipation control and other applications. For consumers, Head is offering a tennis racquet incorporating graphene.In a trend to match technology to high commercial value, there has been an increasing level of activity in energy applications of nanographene, taking advantage of large surface area, large specific capacitance and high mobility va...