Americans learn to turn trash into graphene

Graphene is a unique and highly demanded material that is difficult to produce in large quantities. Creating an inexpensive technology for its production can be called a real breakthrough.

Producing a tonne of graphene costs from $67,000 to $200,000 per tonne. However, scientists from Rice University in the United States have decided to reduce the cost of this process. In order to do this, they have learned to synthesize graphene from high-carbon garbage. What is also interesting, is the fact that this technology turned out to be not only really inexpensive, but also quite fast and efficient.

To isolate graphene from the waste, the research team proposed heating the garbage to 2730°C. This process takes place in a special reactor, where heating occurs by means of electric current. This leads to the breakage of the substance’s chemical bonds and the conversion of the released carbon into graphene. 

Other chemical elements that can also be reused are formed during the reaction. No reagents or solvents take part in the technology, so it can be called truly eco-friendly.