The word “graphene” refers to a single-layer sheet of hexagonally-arranged carbon atoms. Today we are just beginning to understand how to harness the useful properties of graphene. Scientists are exploring many possible use of graphene in areas such as energy storage, information storage, printed and wearable electronics, sensors, environmentally friendly coatings and composites etc.

It is clear that the production of graphene material is the most important factor if we want to harness the power of this thinnest, flattest and strongest material. Whereas the purest form of graphene is made up of only carbon atoms having single or few layers, there are also forms of compounds such as graphene oxide (GO). This material can be grown on selective substrates using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method in a controlled environment as well as produce in powered form using other methods like chemical techniques. The CVD method is the popular root to producing graphene when the best material properties are required for high end applications.

However the main drawbacks of the existing CVD growth system technologies are that these reactors are modified or scaled-up versions of aged old R&D set-ups, which is clearly not suitable for present day industrial needs. It is clear that the graphene material field is now urgently needs a new type of CVD reactor to satisfy the industrial demand. We at BGI have identified a novel CVD reactor with a novel geometry and process conditions and monitoring etc. The CVD Graphene manufacture & Industrialization group in BGI will be constructing this new CVD reactor. This will be used for R&D research and industrial applications.