Graphene Update – March 2023

Graphene was isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester. They won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 “for groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene.” There was promise of new products from water desalination to solar cells that would be next generation but we’ve seen little impact to date from graphene products.

The problem has been that graphene is hard to mass-produce. It’s made by forcing carbon atoms together in a honeycomb pattern of hexagons. The material is also expensive and difficult to handle because it can be very fragile, which makes it difficult to use in commercial applications. It doesn’t work well with current manufacturing processes and it’s difficult to mass produce. It’s also expensive, perhaps $100 per sheet of graphene.

Graphene as Cement Additive

Several studies have shown that adding graphene to cement can result in stronger and more environmentally friendly concrete. Graphene is a highly conductive and strong material that can be added to cement in small amounts to improve its mechanical properties and reduce the amount of raw materials required. According to a study published in ScienceDirect, graphene can be added to cement composites at very low dosages to achieve identical mechanical properties of the cement composites while consuming less cement [1]. Another study led by researchers at Rice University found that adding graphene to concrete can result in a reduction of up to 446kg/tonne of carbon dioxide emissions [2]. By using graphene in concrete, it is possible to reduce the amount of cement used in traditional concrete by up to 50% [3]. Overall, the addition of graphene to cement has the potential to make concrete stronger, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

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Graphene in Batteries

Graphene batteries are a promising new technology that could revolutionize the battery industry. Graphene is a one-atom-thick crystalline lattice of graphite, which is essentially crystalline carbon. Graphene batteries combine the advantages of both batteries and supercapacitors, making them potentially more efficient, longer-lasting, and faster to charge than traditional batteries. They are also lighter and slimmer than today’s lithium-ion cells, which means smaller and thinner devices or larger capacities without requiring extra room. Graphene-enhanced batteries have exciting potential and while they are not yet fully commercially available yet, R&D is intensive and will hopefully yield results in the future. It is expected that the global graphene batteries market will reach USD 115 million by the end of 2022, expanding at a 38.4% CAGR with maximum applications in the automotive industry, set to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. [1][2][3][4]

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Graphene Coatings

Graphene coatings are a relatively new product available for use on vehicles and can be thought of as the next level of ceramic coatings. There are a number of latest graphene coatings available on the market, including SPS Graphene Coating, Graphene Matrix Coating V2.0, and Graphene Coating by SPS Coatings. These coatings bond directly to the surface of your vehicle to create an ultra-smooth and ultra-thin layer of increased protection, and can provide features such as outstanding waterspot prevention, high tensile strength and stain resistance, and protection from UV discoloration. [1] [2] [3]

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Latest Products

According to the sources, the graphene market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. By 2023, there are expected to be a variety of graphene products available in the marketplace. Some examples of graphene products that are already available or in development include graphene power banks and graphene rubber shoes [1] [2]. In addition, graphene is being incorporated into ubiquitous commodities such as tyres, batteries, and electronics [3]. The global graphene market is currently valued at approximately USD 87.5 million and is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 40.2% over the forecast period 2020-2027 [4]. Additionally, the global graphene market was valued at US$125.84 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow to US$493.10 million in 2027 [5].