Graphene, which made headlines throughout the scientific world after the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics announcement, continues to inspire global researchers owing to its performance and multifunctionality. This book investigates the impact of the prestigious award on graphene and related materials research and compiles all major areas of R&D documented thus far related to graphene. The book is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter outlines the pointers to the merits of the Nobel, along with a brief narrative of the book.
The second chapter puts forward an analysis of the publications and patents in graphene research around the globe to showcase the impact the award has made toward the rapid development of graphene technology. Eleven production strategies for graphene, starting from the well-known chemical vapor deposition to nontraditional agricultural waste processing, are discussed as separate sections in Chapter 3.
Chapter 4 presents graphene market analysis, major manufacturers of graphene compounds, and a summary of the properties of commercial products. Chapter 5 starts with a detailed morphology analysis of graphene. This is followed by concise sections describing 14 different properties of the multifunctional material, such as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties. Chapter 6 focuses on graphene dispersion processes. Dispersion methods and stability, morphology of graphene-reinforced compounds, spatial configuration, including three-dimensional graphene composites, and impact of dispersion on various properties are analyzed.
Chapter 7 discusses the chemical modification of graphene by different functional groups and the resultant customized applications, various doping techniques, and the properties of doped graphene. Chapter 8 highlights 23 major applications of graphene, which speaks to the huge impact that the material has made. Chapter 9 provides a comparison between the Nobel selection committee justification and the post-award real-world graphene technology by reviewing the materials presented in previous chapters.
This book can be a quick reference guide for graphene researchers at all levels, as well as for those who are interested in staying abreast of the status of graph-ene when exploring future possibilities. Because the book is a portrait of the developments after the 2010 Nobel Prize, the major share of references span the last decade. Inclusion of these references at the end of each section in all chapters is convenient for quick access. The color photographs throughout the book provide a firsthand grasp of the material presented. Overall, this is a brief, yet adequate, easy to read book covering all aspects of up-to-date graphene research.
