Synthesis Methods for Graphene

The 2-D structure of graphene, an allotrope of carbon with remarkable characteristics, is revolutionizing the technology world. This article provides a synopsis of three popular methods for graphene synthesis. The mechanical exfoliation method attempts to separate graphene layers from bulk graphite and is used for small-scale production. The next method is the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis, which uses a reaction between a gaseous hydrocarbon and a solid substrate to promote graphene growth. Finally, the modified Hummer's method involves the use of oxidizing and reducing agents to obtain graphene oxide (GO) from graphene flakes under low-temperature conditions from which graphene is synthesized as the final product.