Graphene is described as a simple material made up of a layer of carbon atoms, which is about 1 million times thinner than a human hair.
“Graphene is stronger than almost any other material found in nature and surpasses silicon when it comes to electronic potential,” the team of Chinese-American scientists stated.
Since graphene was first discovered in 2004, researchers have been trying to combine graphene with other carbon materials to create a new type of chip that consumes less energy and operates faster than any existing semiconductor.
According to the South China Morning Post, the latest research results on graphene were led by Professor Ma Lei at Tianjin University (China) and Professor Walt de Heer at Georgia Institute of Technology (USA). Both have focused on graphene electronic devices and other two-dimensional materials since establishing the Tianjin International Nano and Nano Systems Center at Tianjin University in 2018.
Scientists successfully synthesize a graphene-based semiconductor, capable of outperforming silicon in electronic potential. (Photo credit: South China Morning Post).
Known as the first stable two-dimensional material at room temperature, graphene’s unique electronic structure gives it a “bandgap” of 0 – meaning there is no energy difference when electrons in the semiconductor move between low and high energy bands.
The Chinese-American scientists utilized a new method to form a special layer on graphene, called “epigraphene,” to create the necessary gap for electrons to move extremely quickly, much faster than silicon and similar materials.
This layer is crucial as it creates an essential electronic gap, making graphene suitable for applications in electronic devices. It also ensures that graphene is durable and easy to process, offering significant commercial prospects, according to the research published in the journal Nature by the aforementioned team of scientists.
To achieve this breakthrough, the research team used a method called “quasi-equilibrium annealing,” which involves carefully heating and cooling the material to alter its structure.
“This advancement not only opens new avenues for modern electronic devices, far surpassing traditional silicon-based technology but also injects new energy into the semiconductor industry,” the report on the Tianjin University website asserts.
“This research not only maintains the exceptional stability of graphene but also creates new electronic properties, paving the way for the manufacture of graphene-based chips in the future,” Beijing-based Science and Technology reported on January 5.
However, the Chinese-American scientists at Tianjin University estimate that it may take another 10 to 15 years to bring graphene semiconductors to industrial products and commercialize them.
