2-D Graphene and White Graphene

This chapter introduces the background knowledge of two-dimensional graphene, including the history of discovery, its remarkable material properties, and its common synthesis and characterizing techniques. Intense interest has been aroused in graphene in fields such as physics, mechanics, chemistry, and materials science. Fundamental properties and general behaviors, including electronic, optical, thermal properties are introduced. Graphenes serving as fillers are promising in polymer nanocomposites to take full advantage of their remarkable Young’s modulus. They are also allowed to be used as field effect transistors due to the unique band structure and sensors owing to the change in conductance when adsorbing on a surface. The ultrahigh surface area suggests a way of clean energy devices.