Researchers have recently demonstrated how a type of graphene could be used to replace a unique metal used in mobile and electronic devices.
As indicated in a Phys.org report, specifically, researchers from Paragraf and the Queen Mary University of London showed the successful fabrication of an OLED or Organic Light-Emitted diode using a monolayer graphene anode that replaces indium tin oxide (ITO) in organic light-emitting diodes.
Indium is one of the nine oddest elements in the crust of Earth. It is also on the European Union's list of critical materials.
Nevertheless, it is commonly used in ITO and is a primary part of the touch screens on computers and mobile phones.
Graphene as Replacement for ITO
The majority of homes are projected to have many items that contain indium, used in flatscreen TVs, solar panels, and LED lights in residences.
This research funded by Innovate UK opens the door to a radical change in the potential of highly technological devices for the future by eliminating indium, a restricting ingredient.
According to Queen Mary and Pargraf's Colin Humphreys, there have been numerous attempts to replace ITO due to its essentiality and shortage. However, no material has been discovered to have comparable performance in an optical or electronic device until to date.
Humphreys also explained that their study is the first paper worldwide to show that graphene can serve as a replacement for ITO in an electronic or optical device.
Performance Similar to ITO-OLEDs
The researchers have demonstrated that graphene-OLED has a similar performance or function to ITO-OLED. In connection to this, ITO-OLEDs are commonly used as touch screens on mobile phones.
Essentially, graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms. On the other hand, carbon is relatively abundant on this planet and different from indium, a maintainable material.
It was discovered in the form of tiny flakes and dubbed as identified as the "wonder material" due to its remarkable properties.
Nevertheless, companies like Samsung, IBM, and Intel have been unable to step up or upgrade the growth of graphene. Therefore, it can be used in electronic devices.
As indicated in the study published in the Advanced Optical Materials journal, Paragraf has developed a new method to generate large-area graphene appropriate for such devices.
Indium Chemical Element
The Periodic Table describes indium as a "silver-white lustrous" metal. It has a soft texture and can be cut using a knife.
Additionally, the chemical element has a low 156.60 degrees Celsius melting point and a 2072 degrees Celsius boiling point.
Indium is commonly used in the semiconductor industry to develop LCD screens for computer monitors and televisions and ultra-high-vacuum applications, like various electrons and X-rays electro-photon spectroscopy.
Indium oxides are utilized as a conductive coating on glass in electroluminescent panels. This chemical element is used in cryogenic applications for research and the production of different materials at low temperatures. It is also employed in amalgam alloys used for dental purposes.
Lastly, indium is used as a control rod in nuclear reactors. A radioactive isotope is used in nuclear medicine research to move blood cells in the body.
Related information about graphene is shown on Super Freaky Science's YouTube video below:
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