• Question: How is graphene so strong?

    Asked by rachel14 to Cathal, Ciara, Emma, Michael, Sive on 13 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Sive Finlay

      Sive Finlay answered on 13 Nov 2013:

      Hi Rachel,
      I’m definitely not a chemist but as far as I understand it graphene is so strong because of the way its atoms are bonded together. Graphene is made of a single layer of carbon atoms which are all bonded together in a honeycomb pattern. All of the bonds between the carbons are lined up in the same direction and honeycomb structures are very stable and strong in themselves (think of beehives!) so that’s what makes graphene so strong.
      Michael will probably be able to explain it better than me!
      Sive

    • Photo: Michael Nolan

      Michael Nolan answered on 19 Nov 2013:

      Hi

      Godd question. Graphene is a flat 2D sheet of carbon arranged in a honeycomb structure. All carbons have 3 neighbours with similar bonding as in benzene, that is delocalised electrons. The individual carbon carbon bonds are strong and with a huge flat sheet of carbons bonded in this way tje whole structure is very strong so it is hard to break the bonds.
      Just like it is hard to break the carbon carbon bond in benzene.
      M

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