'We're Turning Garbage Into Graphene'; That's 200 Times Stronger Than Steel, Thinner Than Paper And Produced From Old Tires And Coffee Grounds

In the world of science, graphene is a topic that has captured everyone's attention. 

This remarkable material, consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, possesses extraordinary properties. It is 200 times stronger than steel, more conductive than copper, thinner than paper and remarkably flexible, capable of stretching up to 125% of its original length. 

With such exceptional characteristics, it is no wonder that graphene is expected to revolutionize various industries in the near future. There is even speculation that graphene will play a crucial role in the construction of the much-anticipated space elevator.

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Avadain Inc. is a U.S.-based company that specializes in producing high-quality graphene flakes at a low cost using its patented, eco-friendly process. Its high-quality graphene flakes are tailored to industry preferences. The company is targeting over 80% of the estimated $100 billion global market for large, thin and nearly defect-free graphene flakes in high-tech products. 

Graphene exists in various forms, and there are various ways to produce it in addition to Avadain’s method. Single sheets of graphene are ideal for electronics and optics and can be produced through chemical vapor deposition but only in small quantities. To obtain large volumes, companies commonly use liquid exfoliation, a technique that involves using acids, solvents and mechanical grinding to shear off graphene flakes from graphite chunks. This method typically results in tiny platelets composed of 20 to 50 layers of graphene.

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In 2014, chemist James Tour and his team at Rice University discovered a method to create a pure form of graphene, consisting of only a few layers, by using a laser to zap carbon black, an amorphous carbon. The intense heat generated by brief laser pulses broke the bonds between carbon atoms, and as the carbon cooled, it coalesced into graphene, the most stable structure. This approach still produced only small amounts of graphene and required significant energy.

Luong Xuan Duy, a graduate student working with Tour, came across research that demonstrated the creation of metal nanoparticles through electric zapping, similar to the approach used for laser graphene production. Duy wondered whether this method could be applied to heat a carbon source and generate graphene. 

After experimenting with a glass vial containing carbon black and subjecting it to 400 volts of electricity for about 200 milliseconds, he successfully produced graphene. Initially, the results were subpar, but after adjustments, a bright yellowish-white flash indicated that the temperature inside the vial reached approximately 3000 kelvins. Chemical tests confirmed the production of graphene.

The graphene produced using this method turned out to be ideal for bulk applications. Unlike graphite, where carbon atoms stack in a regular pattern, the condensed carbon atoms in this graphene do not have enough time to align, resulting in a structure called turbostatic graphene. In this material, graphene layers are jumbled at various angles on top of each other. 

According to Duy, this is advantageous because turbostatic graphene, when added to solvents like water, remains suspended without clumping. This enables each particle of the material to interact effectively with the composite. 

The starting point for flash graphene production is affordable and abundant. Virtually any organic matter, including coffee grounds, food scraps, old tires and plastic bottles, can be vaporized to create this material. As Duy puts it, "We're turning garbage into graphene."

The unique properties of turbostatic graphene make it highly promising for a wide range of applications. Monica Craciun, a materials physicist at the University of Exeter, believes that this material will be highly valuable for various purposes. 

"This groundbreaking endeavor holds immense scientific and practical significance," said Ray Baughman, a chemist at the University of Texas, emphasizing its potential to render graphene affordable for reinforcing asphalt and paint. "I wish I had thought of it." 

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