2d Materials For Research- Properties And Applications!
2d materials are just one molecule thick which implies that they have only two dimensions – length and breadth, no height. This particular structure imparts some specific properties to these materials. They possess different physical and chemical properties compared to their parent elements. So Graphene has a different property than graphite although Graphene is derived from graphite by stripping its layers and arriving at a one molecule thick layer. These materials have wide industrial application. The popularity of using graphene in different applications has given rise to a pursuit for other 2d materials for research such as germanene, boron nitride, silicene, stanene etc.
Use Of 2d Materials For Research
Research about 2d materials is being widely conducted at different facilities all over the world. In fact, the synthesis of grapheme and its unique properties has egged on researchers to know more about 2d materials for research. Graphene was synthesized by sheer mechanical exfoliation. Later, many other processes were discovered for synthesis of 2d materials. The properties of 2d materials such as high strength, ultra-light weight, high young’s modulus, unique mobility of electrons, breaking strength etc have been found to be quite useful in industrial applications.
Graphene – the first result of research on 2d Materials
Grapheme was synthesized from graphite by stripping its layers until one layer remained. This is the thinnest possible payer of graphite. Properties of graphene are different from graphite. It is highly conductive to electricity and heat, very high mechanical strength, very high electron mobility, can absorb a large part of white light, and more. These unique properties have given rise to a research on 2d materials. More 2d materials have been synthesized which include germanene, boron nitride, stanene, silicone etc.
Applications Of 2d Materials
2D materials have unique properties that bestow these materials with unique applicability. This is a new era in the field of material research. As research on 2d materials is going on, more and more of these materials are being discovered. Scientists have also come up with ideas and processes to combine different types of 2d materials for research and come up with unique physical and chemical properties that are further different from individual 2d materials.
2D Materials other than grapheme
A number of 2d materials have been discovered after graphene. The discovery of single layer materials that are just one molecule thick can have a number of industrial applications. This has opened up research on 2d materials. Gradually, more and more 2d materials have been discovered. Further research on 2d materials has led to combining different 2d materials and coming up with unique properties.
Spectacular Properties of Graphene
Graphene is the strongest material in the world now. It is 200 times stronger than steel and yet flexible. Its electrical conductivity is better than Copper. It is ultra-light and immensely tough. It is the thinnest possible material and is transparent. Despite being even better a conductor than copper, it acts as a perfect barrier. It may have applications in the field of energy, membranes, composites, coatings, sensors, electronics, wearable electronics etc.