Light ablation production method
Scientists at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and at the University of Western Australia develop a faster, scalable method to develop few-layer graphene. Current methods for production currently require toxic chemicals and lengthy and cumbersome processes that result in low yield that is not scalable for commercial applications. The ultra-bright lamp-ablation method surmounts the shortcomings and has succeeded in synthesising four to five layer graphene in higher yields. An optical system reconstitutes the immense brightness within the plasma of high-power xenon discharge lamps at a remote reactor, where a transparent tube filled with simple, inexpensive graphite is irradiated. The process is relatively faster, safer and devoid of any toxic substances. Following this proof of concept, the BGU-UWA team is now planning an experimental programme to scale up this initial success toward improving the volume and rate at which few-layer and single layer graphene is created.