Graphene is a promising material, the mass production of which can give mankind the possibility of obtaining flexible electronics. It can give such an opportunity due to the following properties: mechanical flexibility, high electrical conductivity and chemical resistance. In addition, graphene is a high-strength material, which is just as important for electronics. Graphene is obtained by mechanical splitting of graphite, or by its chemical treatment. If graphite is a three-dimensional crystal, graphene is a two-dimensional crystal.
Despite the fact that the methods of obtaining graphene by processing a decanter were known for a relatively long time, graphene eventually lost its high conductivity, which, of course, was a bad thing. Such a loss was due to the fact that the chemical treatment of graphite included oxidation, and not only graphene, but also its oxides, became the oxidation product. Scientists from Northwestern University in Illinois have worked on ways to get graphene, and today there is already a successful result. The most advantageous method for producing graphene is the following: graphite is decomposed at room temperature by the action of a mixture of ethyl alcohol and cellulose acetate. The product of this process is a powder (powder includes flakes of graphene, nanometer-sized), which later, when interacting with the solvent, forms graphene.
The developers have demonstrated the ability to print several layers of graphene, the thickness of which was about 14 nanometers. Further studies of the printed samples showed that the conductivity of the material is very high. In addition, it practically does not change when bending at large angles.
Thus, we can conclude that the possible appearance of flexible electronic devices in our hands is not far off. Although no one knows what difficulties may arise in the future, and it is impossible to predict for sure whether such an occurrence will occur at all.
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