Standardization | Graphene-Info

New international standard for measuring the flatness of graphene

Researchers from RWTH Aachen University and the Graphene Flagship Standardization Committee have pushed through a new IEC standard for assessing the strain uniformity of single-layer graphene using Raman spectroscopy.

Research has shown that the electrical and the structural quality of graphene are intimately connected, and that nanoscale lattice deformations caused by surface corrugations limit the mobility of electrons in graphene. Therefore, controlling the flatness of a graphene sheet is fundamental for the fabrication of high-quality graphene layers for electronic devices – and the possibility of measuring this parameter with a simple and fast method is a major technological advantage. Furthermore, the new standard for detecting graphene flatness, pioneered by the Graphene Flagship and published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), could expedite the manufacture and implementation of single-layer graphene.

Read the full story Posted: Feb 13, 2022

Researchers find TGA method useful for quality control of graphene powders

A research collaboration between The University of Adelaide in Australia and the National Physical Laboratory has led to the development of a validated analytical tool, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), for the characterization and quality control of FLG and non-graphene impurities in powder form. TGA is typically used to assess and characterize the thermal properties and impurities of minerals, polymers, and carbon materials. However, its was found to have potential for use as a characterization tool for regulating the quality of graphene materials.

Now, this affordable, simple and reliable method of analysis could be used to improve the quality control measures used in the graphene industry.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 03, 2021

A new standard to help verify graphene materials

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), in collaboration with international partners, have developed an ISO/IEC standard, ISO/TS 21356-1:2021, for measuring the structural properties of graphene, typically sold as powders or in a liquid dispersion. The ISO/IEC standard helps the supply chain to better define graphene materials (and distinguish them from other materials) and is based on methods developed with The University of Manchester in the NPL Good Practice Guide 145.

Over the last few years, graphene has started to move from the laboratory into real-world products such as cars and smartphones. However, there is still a barrier affecting the rate of its commercialization, namely, understanding the true properties of the material. There is not just one type of material, but many, each with different properties that need matching to the many different applications where graphene can provide an improvement.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 15, 2021

New machine-learning method could characterize graphene materials quickly and efficiently

Monash University scientists have created an innovative method to help industry identify high quality graphene cheaper, faster and more accurately than current methods. The researchers used the data set of an optical microscope to develop a machine-learning algorithm that can characterize graphene properties and quality, without bias, within 14 minutes.

process for quantitative analysis of graphene image Framework for quantitative analysis. Image from Advanced Science

This technology could be a game changer for hundreds of graphene or graphene oxide manufacturers globally. It will help them boost the quality and reliability of their graphene supply without need for time-consuming procedures.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 26, 2020

Graphene takes a step towards enabling end-users to maintain their own resistance standards

Recent research by NPL, Oxford Instruments, Chalmers University and Graphensic has enabled the quantum Hall effect to be realized at both lower magnetic fields and higher temperatures, whilst still retaining part per billion accuracies.

The long-term collaboration between NPL, Chalmers University of Technology and Graphensic has resulted in a big advance in graphene samples. Epitaxial graphene (epigraphene) has been grown on silicon carbide and has better performance at higher temperatures and lower magnetic field than was previously possible. In practical terms, it has also removed the difficult process of fine-tuning the carrier density and means the ‘table-top’ system can be warmed up and cooled back down and the plateau stays where it is set with no user intervention.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 21, 2019