frequently asked questions about graphene

1. What is graphene?

Graphene is a unique carbon-based material that is so thin, it is considered 2-dimensional.

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1. What is graphene? (cont.)Its material structure is in the shape of a platelet while at the atomic level, its atoms are arranged in a honeycomb pattern.


1. What is graphene? (cont.)Graphene is a nanomaterial that is highly conductive, both thermally and electrically. It is also intrinsically very strong yet light weight.


2. Where does graphene come from?Graphene is produced primarily in two ways. These two ways are often referred to as the top-down and bottom-up approaches to making graphene.


2. Where does graphene come from? (cont.)When graphene is produced using the bottom-up method, it is “grown” on a substrate through a process such as chemical vapor deposition. This method has limited industrial use due the small volumes produced and high energy costs associated with the method.


2. Where does graphene come from? (cont.)When graphene is produced using the top-down method, the beginning material is graphite Through a variety of sophisticated and proprietary processes, the nanomaterial, graphene, is made.


3. What is a nanomaterial?A nanomaterial is a material whose physical dimensions are less than 100 nanometers.

A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.


3. What is a nanomaterial? (cont.)Nanomaterials have unexpected properties that are only realized when the material is sized on the nanoscale.

In other words, nanomaterials behave differently than their bulk material predecessors.


4. Why are scientists and applications engineers so excited about graphene?

In the world of materials, each material is known for its special and most useful properties.


4. Why are scientists and applications engineers so excited about graphene? (cont.)For example, metals are known to conduct electricity and are very strong, but they are not considered lightweight or flexible.


4. Why are scientists and applications engineers so excited about graphene? (cont.)Certain plastics are lightweight and flexible but are not considered strong and act as insulators.


4. Why are scientists and applications engineers so excited about graphene? (cont.)The reason graphene is so compelling as a material is that it possesses a unique combination of many different material properties.


5. What are graphene’s unique properties?Graphene is:

Thermally conductive Electrically conductiveStrongTransparent in thin filmsA barrier materialDispersible compared to other nanomaterialsImparts many of its properties

to the materials to which it is added


6. How can I work with graphene?

Graphene from Angstron Materials is made available in several convenient forms including dispersions and powders.

These forms allow you to add graphene to your materials.


6. How can I work with graphene? (cont.)

Graphene, as supplied by Angstron Materials, is also incorporated into intermediary products such as sheets, formulated pastes, and thermoplastic masterbatches.


7. If I want to work with graphene in its powder form, what are some best practices for dispersing it?

For viscosities less than 5,000 cps, we recommend using probe sonication.


7. If I want to work with graphene in its powder form, what are some best practices for dispersing it? (cont.)

We have seen the use of high shear mills effective at dispersing materials with viscosities greater than 10,000 cp.


7. If I want to work with graphene in its powder form, what are some best practices for dispersing it? (cont.)

When working with thermoplastics, melt-blending in an extruder while following powder inclusion best practices is recommended.


8. What are the most impressive ways that graphene is being used today?

Currently, many scientists and engineers are looking to graphene to impart some of its characteristic properties to their materials.


8. What are the most impressive ways that graphene is being used today? (cont.)

Research is providing evidence of new applications every day.


8. What are the most impressive ways that graphene is being used today? (cont.)

A consensus in the industry currently is that the present day and nearest term applications include battery technology, composites, electronics, inks, and coatings.


9. How do I get started?

The best way to begin your discovery of what graphene can do for you is to contact us today at [email protected].

We work to respond quickly and endeavor to understand your application and make helpful product recommendations.


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9. How do I get started? (cont.)

We can also discuss with you a more customized solution where our scientists can work under contract to tailor a formula, be it a composite, coating, or other, that meets your end-use performance requirements.


10. Why work with Angstron Materials?

We partner with you to find meaningful solutions for your material systems.

We were the first to patent graphene’s technology and we remain committed to its application so that it can meet today’s technology challenges.

As the leaders in volume capacity production and intellectual property for graphene, our experts are ready to answer your questions.

Contact us today! [email protected] Or call 937-331-9884


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frequently asked questions about graphene

Science