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Graphene and its use. The discovery of graphene. Nanotechnology in the Modern World

More recently, a new field has emerged in science and technology, which was called nanotechnology. Prospects for this discipline are not just vast. They are grandiose. A particle called "nano" is a value equal to one billionth of any value. Such dimensions can only be compared with the dimensions of atoms and molecules. For example, one billionth of a meter is called a nanometer.

The main direction of the new field of science

Nanotechnology refers to those that manipulate matter at the level of molecules and atoms. In this regard, this area of science is also called molecular technology. What was the impetus for its development? Nanotechnology in the modern world appeared thanks to a lecture by Richard Feynman. In it, the scientist proved that there are no obstacles to creating things directly from atoms.

The tool for efficient manipulation of the smallest particles was called an assembler. This is a molecular nanomachine, with which you can build any structure. For example, a natural assembler can be called a ribosome, which synthesizes protein in living organisms.

Nanotechnology in the modern world is not just a separate field of knowledge. They represent a vast field of research directly related to many fundamental sciences. Among them there are physics, chemistry and biology. According to scientists, these sciences will receive the most powerful impetus to development against the background of the forthcoming nanotechnological revolution.

Application area

List all the areas of human activity, where nanotechnology is used today, is impossible because of a very impressive list. Thus, with the help of this field of science, the following are produced:

- devices designed for super-dense recording of any information;
- Various video equipment;
- sensors, solar cells, semiconductor transistors;
- information, computing and information technologies;
- nanoimprinting and nanolithography;
- devices designed to store energy, and fuel cells;
- defense, space and aviation applications;
- bioinstrumentary.

In such a scientific field as nanotechnology, in Russia, the United States, Japan and a number of European countries, more and more funding is allocated every year. This is due to the extensive prospects for the development of this field of research.

Nanotechnologies in Russia are developing according to the target Federal program, which provides not only large financial costs, but also a large amount of design and research work. To realize the tasks set, the efforts of various scientific and technological complexes are combined at the level of national and transnational corporations.

New material

Nanotechnology allowed scientists to produce a carbon plate harder than a diamond, whose thickness is only one atom. It consists of graphene. It is the thinnest and most durable material in the entire universe, which allows electricity much better than silicon computer chips.

The discovery of graphene is considered a real revolutionary event that will allow us to change a lot in our life. This material has so unique physical properties that it fundamentally changes the person's idea of the nature of things and substances.

History of the discovery

Graphene is a two-dimensional crystal. Its structure is a hexagonal lattice consisting of carbon atoms. Theoretical studies of graphene began long before obtaining its real samples, since this material is the basis for constructing a three-dimensional graphite crystal.

As early as 1947 P. Volles pointed to some properties of graphene, proving that its structure is analogous to metals, and some characteristics are similar to those possessed by ultrarelativistic particles, neutrinos and massless photons. However, the new material has certain significant differences that make it unique in its nature. But the confirmation of these conclusions was received only in 2004, when Konstantin Novoselov and Andrey Geim first obtained carbon in a free state. This new substance, which was called graphene, and became a major discovery of scientists. Find this item in a pencil. Its graphite core consists of many layers of graphene. How does the pencil leave a mark on paper? The fact is that, despite the strength of the constituent layers of the layers, there are very weak bonds between them. They are very easy to disintegrate when they come in contact with paper, leaving a trace when writing.

Use of new material

According to scientists, sensors based on graphene will be able to analyze the strength and condition of the aircraft, as well as predict earthquakes. But only when the material with such tremendous properties leaves the walls of laboratories, it becomes clear in which direction the development of practical application of this substance will go. To date , chemists, physicists, and electronics engineers are already interested in the unique capabilities of graphene. After all, just a few grams of this substance can cover a territory equal to a football field.

Graphene and its use are potentially considered in the manufacture of lightweight satellites and aircraft. In this area, the new material is able to replace carbon fibers in composite materials. The nanosubstance can be used instead of silicon in transistors, and its introduction into plastic will give it electrical conductivity.

Graphene and its application are also considered in the manufacture of sensors. These devices, based on the latest material, will be able to detect the most dangerous molecules. But the use of powder from nanosubstance in the production of electrical batteries at times will increase their effectiveness.

Graphene and its application are considered in optoelectronics. From the new material will be very light and durable plastic, the containers from which will allow for several weeks to keep the products fresh.

The use of graphene is also assumed for the manufacture of a transparent conductive coating, which is necessary for monitors, solar cells and stronger and more resistant to mechanical influences of windmills.

On the basis of a nanomaterial, the best sports equipment, medical implants and supercapacitors will be obtained.

Also graphene and its application are relevant for:

- High-frequency high-power electronic devices;
- artificial membranes that separate two liquids in the reservoir;
- improve the conductivity of various materials;
- creating a display on organic light-emitting diodes;
- mastering new techniques for accelerated DNA sequencing;
- improvement of liquid crystal displays;
- the creation of ballistic transistors.

Use in the automotive industry

According to the researchers, the specific energy intensity of graphene approaches 65 kWh / kg. This figure is 47 times higher than that which is so common nowadays lithium-ion batteries. This fact scientists used to create a new generation of chargers.

Graphene-polymer battery is a device by means of which the electric energy is kept as efficiently as possible. Currently, work on it is conducted by researchers from many countries. The Spanish scientists have achieved considerable success in this matter. Graphene-polymer battery, created by them, has an energy capacity that is hundreds of times higher than a similar figure for existing batteries. They use it to equip electric vehicles. The machine in which the graphene accumulator is installed can travel thousands kilometers without stopping. To recharge an electric vehicle when the energy resource is depleted, it will take no more than 8 minutes.

Touchscreens

Scientists continue to explore graphene, while creating new and unparalleled things. So, carbon nanomaterial has found its application in the production, which produces sensory displays with a large diagonal. In the future, a flexible device of this type may appear.

The scientists obtained a rectangular graphene sheet and turned it into a transparent electrode. It is he who participates in the operation of the touch screen, differing in this by its durability, increased transparency, flexibility, environmental friendliness and low cost.

Getting graphene

Since 2004, when the newest nanomaterial was discovered, scientists have mastered a number of methods for obtaining it. However, the most basic of these methods are:

- mechanical exfoliation;
- epitaxial growth in a vacuum;
- chemical phase-to-phase cooling (CVD process).

The first of these three methods is the simplest. The production of graphene in the case of mechanical exfoliation is the application of a special graphite onto the adhesive surface of an insulating tape. After that, the base, like a sheet of paper, begins to bend and unbend, separating the desired material. When this method is used, graphene is of the highest quality. However, such actions are not suitable for mass production of this nanomaterial.

When using the method of epitaxial growth, thin silicon plates are used, the surface layer of which is silicon carbide. Further, this material is heated at a very high temperature (up to 1000 K). As a result of the chemical reaction, silicon atoms are separated from the carbon atoms, the first of which evaporate. As a result, pure graphene remains on the plate. A disadvantage of this method is the need to use very high temperatures at which combustion of carbon atoms can occur.

The most reliable and simple method used for mass production of graphene is the CVD process. It is a method in which a chemical reaction occurs between a metal coating catalyst and hydrocarbon gases.

Where is graphene produced?

To date, the largest company that produces new nanomaterials is in China. The name of this manufacturer is Ningbo Morsh Technology. The production of graphene was started by him in 2012.

The main consumer of nanomaterial is the company Chongqing Morsh Technology. Graphene is used by it to produce conductive transparent films that are inserted into touch displays.

More recently, the well-known Nokia has issued a patent for a photosensitive matrix. In the composition of this element, so necessary for optical devices, there are several layers of graphene. Such material, used on camera sensors, significantly increases their photosensitivity (up to 1000 times). At the same time, there is a decrease in electricity consumption. A good camera for a smartphone will also contain graphene.

Getting in the home

Can I make graphene at home? It turns out, yes! You just need to take a kitchen blender with a capacity of at least 400 W, and follow the technique developed by Irish physicists.

How to make graphene at home? To do this, 500 ml of water are poured into the blender bowl, adding to the liquid 10-25 milliliters of any detergent and 20-50 grams of crushed slate. Then the device should work from 10 minutes to half an hour, until the appearance of a suspension of graphene scales. The resulting material will have a high conductivity, which will allow it to be used in photocell electrodes. Also produced in everyday conditions graphene is able to improve the properties of plastic.

Oxides of nanomaterial

Scientists are actively exploring and such a structure of graphene, which inside or on the edges of the carbon grid has attached oxygen-containing functional groups or (and) molecules. It is the oxide of the hardest nanosubstance, which is the first two-dimensional material that has reached the stage of commercial production. From nanoparticles and microparticles of this structure, scientists made centimeter samples.

Thus, graphene oxide in combination with diofilizirovannym carbon was recently received by Chinese scientists. This is a very light material, a centimeter cube of which is held on the petals of a small flower. But the new substance, in which graphene oxide is located, is one of the most solid in the world.

Biomedical applications

Graphene oxide has a unique property of selectivity. This will allow this substance to find a biomedical application. So, thanks to the work of scientists, it became possible to use graphene oxide for the diagnosis of cancer. To detect a malignant tumor at the early stages of its development allow unique optical and electrical properties of the nanomaterial.

Graphene oxide also allows the targeted delivery of medicinal and diagnostic products. Based on this material, sorption biosensors are created that point to DNA molecules.

Industrial application

Various sorbents based on graphene oxide can be used to deactivate infected technogenic and natural objects. Moreover, this nanomaterial can process underground and surface waters, as well as soils, by clearing them of radionuclides.

Graphene oxide filters can provide super-clean rooms where special purpose electronic components are manufactured. The unique properties of this material will allow us to penetrate into the subtle technologies of the chemical sphere. In particular, it can be the extraction of radioactive, dispersed and rare metals. So, the use of graphene oxide will allow to extract gold from poor ores.

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