1 research outputs found
Graphene: Piecing it together
Graphene has a multitude of striking properties that make it an exceedingly
attractive material for various applications, many of which will emerge over
the next decade. However, one of the most promising applications lie in
exploiting its peculiar electronic properties which are governed by its
electrons obeying a linear dispersion relation. This leads to the observation
of half integer quantum hall effect and the absence of localization. The latter
is attractive for graphene-based field effect transistors. However, if graphene
is to be the material for future electronics, then significant hurdles need to
be surmounted, namely, it needs to be mass produced in an economically viable
manner and be of high crystalline quality with no or virtually no defects or
grains boundaries. Moreover, it will need to be processable with atomic
precision. Hence, the future of graphene as a material for electronic based
devices will depend heavily on our ability to piece graphene together as a
single crystal and define its edges with atomic precision. In this progress
report, the properties of graphene that make it so attractive as a material for
electronics is introduced to the reader. The focus then centers on current
synthesis strategies for graphene and their weaknesses in terms of electronics
applications are highlighted.Comment: Advanced Materials (2011