What is Graphene?
Graphene, an allotrope of carbon, also known as graphene layer, single-layer graphene or monolayer graphene, is a one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp2-bonded carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice.
Graphene can be best represented as a pure carbon monocrystalline graphitic sheet comprising a single layer of carbon atoms densely packed into a benzene-ring structure.
Graphene was first isolated and characterized at the University of Manchester by Professors Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, discovered many of its properties.
Graphene’s potential to change the course of innumerable industries is only limited by the imagination and cunning of business leaders who share a vision with a knowledgeable chemist, engineer, or physicist.
A sheet of carbon atoms that could be useful for almost everything and is going to change our life
Properties of a Single Layer Graphene
Graphene, the world’s thinnest material, only one carbon atom thick, arranged in a hexagonal (honeycomb-like) lattice, is so special thanks to a combination of unique properties. Theoretically, a single layer of graphene has the properties listed here.
an extremely high Young’s modulus
the best thermal conductor, outperforming diamond
almost transparent to light (97,7%) and electrons, better than ITO
highest intrinsic mobility, 100 times more than in Si
200 times stronger than steel at the same thickness
the stiffest material in the world, stiffer than diamond
he highest surface area of all materials (~2630 m2/g)
a tensile strength of over 130 GPa
corrosion resistant
most impermeable material, even helium cannot squeeze through
flexible, the most stretchable crystal
conducts electricity better than silver
Most of the products labeled “graphene” on the market are not graphene. Rather, they are thin graphite flakes up to a few hundred layers thick.
The ISO standard (ISO/TS 80004-13:2017) launched the first standard
related with 2D materials nomenclature where the classification is as follows:
- Graphene: single layer of carbon atoms;
- Bilayer graphene: two well-defined stacked graphene layers;
- Few-layer graphene: consisting of three to ten well-defined stacked graphene layers.
Our graphene GUP®, with a no. of layers between 2 and 5, is classified as few-
layer graphene in accordance with the ISO/TS 80004-13:2017
The following materials cannot be considered graphene based on the ISO/TS 80004-13:2017:
Graphene Oxide (GO): carbon compound with oxygen and hydrogen where the % of carbon is typically around 60-70 wt%
Reduced Graphene Oxide (eGO): carbon material produced starting from GO with thermal or chemical reduction process, wth a carbon content around 90-95 wt%
Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs): thickness between 1 and 3nm and lateral dimensions ranging from ≈100 nm to 100 μm, it is essentially fine graphite, not graphene.
Lower quality graphene including graphene oxide results in less useful commercial products.
We suggest this paper for more detail information: DOI: 10.1002/adma.201803784.
Graphene GUP®
Verified few-layer graphene
Verified Few-Layer Graphene
Most of the products labeled “Graphene” on the market are not actually graphene. Rather they are thin flakes of graphite that can be up to a few hundred layer thick.
GrapheneUP® built the first industrial production of few-layer graphene with the largest production capacity in Europe
Main Features and
Advantages of GUP®
01
Real few-layer graphene
Our graphene GUP®, with a no.
of layers between 2 and 5, is
classified as few-layer graphene
in accordance with ISO/TS 9651:2025.
02
Largelateral size
The large average size brings higher thermal conductivity due to the smaller total thermal boundary resistances from the interface area.
03
Very lowoxygen content
A high C:O ratio, over 99, improves thermal and electrical conductivity in graphene-based applications.
04
Confirmation letterof compliance
GUP® few-layer graphene has been recognized to fulfill the requirements of the EU’s RoHS compliant (Directive 2011/65/EC).
05
Highaspect ratio
Higher aspect ratio (length over thickness) nanofillers are favored to establish a connecting pathway for electrons to travel through the specimen at a low percolation threshold.
06
Low defect graphene
The defects of graphene have a direct impact
on the properties of the graphene.
SEM Images of GUP®
Raman Spectroscopy
Dynamic Laser Scattering (DLS)
TEM Images of GUP®
Unique Properties of GUP®
GUP® is a few-layer graphene with low oxygen content produced with a one-step process of direct, not oxidative, exfoliation of graphite in gas phase.
GUP®’ properties make it the right solution to improve specific characteristics of many materials and products.
We adhere to a rigorous quality control procedure to evaluate the characteristics of our flake graphene GUP®. We make characterization of each batch to meet the stringent criteria set forth by ISO/TS 80004-13:2017 and ISO/TS 21356-1:2021 standards.
2-5
layers
of graphene
0.3-1.2
atomic wt%
of oxygen content
10-60
μm
the lateral size
1.5-1.8
kg
of GUP® in 1 m3
< 0.12
ratio
ID/IG
98.7-99.6
atomic wt%
of carbon content
~ 10
µm
Dv (10)
48
soccer fields
are covered with 1 Kg of of GUP®
> 98.5
ratio
C:O
< 0.05
atomic wt%
of total metals
~ 25
µm
Dv (50)
> 120
degree
the contact angle
< 2.1
nm
apparent thickness
< 1
ppm
total silicon
~ 45
μm
Dv (90)
< 0.02
wt%
moisture content
SMALL AMOUNT, BIG EFFECT
GUP® makes a difference in customer’s formulations, improving product characteristics and sustainability profile
Ι 0.025 %
of GUP® increases
the flexural strength of concrete
by more than 20%
Ι 0.001 %
of GUP® reduces the COF
in lubricants by over 30%
Ι 0.005 %
of GUP® in coatings
dramatically enhances
corrosion protection
Ι 0.01 %
of GUP® in epoxy resin
increases the Young’s Module
by over 40%
Ι 0.007 %
of GUP® increases
the impact resistance
of PP by over 80%
OUR PROPRIETARY PRODUCTION PROCESS
Single Step Manifacture of High Quality Few-layer Graphene
GUP® is a few-layer graphene with low oxygen content produced with a one-step process of direct, not oxidative, exfoliation of graphite in the gas phase.
GUP®’s properties make it the right solution to improve specific characteristics of many materials and products.
We adhere to a rigorous quality control procedure to evaluate the characteristics of our flake graphene GUP®. We make a characterization of each batch to meet the stringent criteria set forth by ISO/TS 9651:2025
We produce few-layer graphene flakes with a new proprietary non-oxidative direct exfoliation process in the gas phase that transforms graphite or other carbon materials into graphene in less than a second. The raw materials used in the production process are available in the market without any kind of limitations, either in terms of quantity and of geographical location.
We do NOT use oxidants and we preserve the quality of graphene.
We strongly believe that this new approach can dramatically and reliably outperforms existing technologies at a reasonable cost and contribute to speed up the development of new graphene-based products into the market.
One-Step Process
from graphite to graphene in a one step fast reaction (less than 1 second)
Stable Process
homogeneous and stable quality, batch-to-batch consistency
Innovative
No Post Treatment
Scalable
Save Energy
Bulk Production
the largest production of few-layer graphene in Europe
Eco
No Oxidation
NO oxidation,
NO use of acids or oxidants
High Yield
high yield conversion of graphite to graphene
Trade-offs Between Different Methods of Production
There exists a trade-off between manufacturing volume and graphene quality.
The CVD and epitaxial methods produce high-quality graphene sheets but have a low scalability.
Our innovative process assures a homogeneous high-quality with a scalable production.
Functionalization of GUP®
“It is not enough to buy a good quality graphene, it is important to use graphene properly functionalized that suits your specific application”
Graphene can be incorporated into a variety of materials to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the overall
structure.
One of the key factors in creating graphene-hybrid composite materials lies in the coupling between the base material and graphene. To ensure that its superior properties can be blended into the host material, it may need to be functionalized; this is where compatible chemical groups are added to the material surface to enable effective graphene dispersion.
The covalent bonding of organic functional groups brings several advantages. For example, it enables the dispersion of graphene in solutions, modifies the graphene’s electrical properties, and can even open a bandgap and create a robust bonding mechanism between the graphene and the matrix.
The chemical modification of graphene’s surface opens new properties, allowing good interaction with the targeted matrix. One of the main advantages of our production method is that the functionalization of graphene takes place during the one-step reaction without the need for any further modification.
Our innovative production process allows us to introduce a new generation of groundbreaking functionalized graphene-based commercial products into the market.
4 Keys for a Successful Product
To create graphene-based products for the real market it is not enough to buy good quality graphene, 4 key points are needed and this is what we do at GrapheneUP®
Real Graphene
Due to the lack of standards for graphene production there are a lot of products in the market labelled like graphene but that cannot be classified as graphene. Using products that are falsely advertised has been stalling the development of the future applications. Our graphene is real few- layer graphene based on the ISO/TS 80004-13:2017.
Bulk Production
To ensure the success of a graphene-based product or application, it is essential to have the assurance that graphene will be available in sufficient quantities for bulk sales of the product.
Functionalization
One of the key factors to create graphene-hybrid composite materials lies in the coupling between the base material and graphene. To ensure that its superior properties can be blended into the host material, it may need to be functionalized. This is where compatible chemical groups are added to the material surface to enable effective dispersion of the graphene.
Proper Dispersion
A prerequisite for the property enhancement of graphene-based composite materials is the uniform dispersion of graphene in the matrix; however, graphene’s ultra-high specific surface area leads to strong van der Waals forces, thereby inducing a strong tendency to reaggregate. A well-dispersed state ensures the availability of the maximum surface area of filler, which will affect the neighboring polymer chains and, consequently, the properties of the whole composite.
Markets
of GUP®
Automotive
Sports
Pharmaceutical
Packaging Industry
Aerospace
Electronics
Construction
Oil & Gas
Marine & Nautical
Batteries/Ultracapacitors
Textiles
Cosmetics
Military & Defense
Water & Gas Treatment
Paints & Coatings
Food Industry
GUP®: Health and Safety
As one of the world’s largest producer of graphene, GrapheneUP® is taking the lead in raising the transparency of the nature of few-layer graphene and their responsible handling. GrapheneUP® places the protection of its employees, customers, consumers and the environment at the heart of its concerns and has chosen to adopt a fully transparent communication policy concerning the validated data to hand on hygiene, health and environmental aspects.
The company has an ongoing policy of initiating internal and external independent testing and research, and it has already accumulated a significant knowledge base on the morphology of graphene, its safe handling and use in the workplace, and compliance with the EU regulatory requirements.
In 2018 GrapheneUP® was awarded certificates confirming the compliance of its production process with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 standards. GrapheneUP’s workers assume responsibility for the ethical, safe, and sustainable development of emerging technologies, particularly by steering away from severe risks.
Graphene GUP® Morphology
Our few-layer Graphene GUP® has several advantages in terms of health and safety concerns:
-
- large lateral size (small lateral dimensions are more frequently associated with toxicological effects)
- high C:O ratio.
These are two key parameters that classify our graphene as a friendly material in terms of health and safety and eco-toxicity based on the present knowledge on this topic. For further and more detailed information, please refer to this paper: ACS Nano 2018, 12, 10582−10620. Literature shows that graphene has less impact than graphene oxide on living systems.
Handling and Processing of graphene GUP®
In 2019, GrapheneUP® conducted several case studies in the workplace to measure workers’ possible exposure to inhaled nanoparticles. The results showed that the measured concentration of graphene in the working environment was at least ten times below the concentration limit accepted by law (361/2007 Sb).
Confirmation letter of compliance
GUP® few-layer graphene has been recognized to fulfill the requirements of the EU’s RoHS (Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances) compliant according to the definitions and restrictions given by The European Parliament, Directive 2011/65/EC, standards that are aimed at reducing the harmful impact of substances on the environment and on human health. The RoHS statements underline that GrapheneUP® SE’s graphene substances comply with the permitted concentration values of the ten designated substances and do not contain PBB or PBDE (Annex II of the RoHS directive).
LET’S BUILD WHAT’S NEXT
Fill your GUP® pathway
Tell us about your application. We’ll help identify the right next step.