Preface

The existence of "single hexagonal layered" graphene was first conjectured by scientists during the late 1940s [1] However, it was not until the early 1960s that the material was formally reported [2]. Even so, it remained essentially unknown until it was successfully isolated and investigated at the University of Manchester in 2004 [3, 4]. The successful preparation of graphene then triggered massive interest across the world, and soon scientists from around the globe were reporting dozens of variant improved methods for its production. The material gained traction, 4 and by 2014, just a decade after it was isolated, it was reported that over 14,000 scientific papers had been published on this subject. Later in 2022, the global graphene annual revenue was estimated at US\$380 million with projections to reach US\$1.5 billion in the year 2027 [5].

As graphene continues to attract interest, a growing number of researchers have been inspired to write a rising number of review papers to improve the understanding of its science. The current book was designed to contribute to this knowledge development by consolidating and curating existing knowledge on this important subject. The topics selected and included in *Chemistry of Graphene – Synthesis, Reactivity, Applications, and Toxicities* were aimed to provide readers with a unique resource for promoting our understanding of the new trends, concepts, and phenomena in the field of science that have captivated material scientists for a period of three decades since 2004 like no other. In compiling the literature, attempts have been made toward conducting comprehensive searches for present readers with complete syntheses of the research status and the emerging trends in this field. The goal was to submit a succinct overview of the research status and to point out the key research knowledge gaps and opportunities that are yet to be fulfilled.

The book discusses implications for both academia and practice in a multidimensional manner. The first is to serve as a reference on multiple topics allowing for seamless integration of new ideas into the existing knowledge base of the field while providing new insights into the rapidly changing research areas. Second, the longitudinal approach adopted permits for the materials dealt with in the book to transcend the important phases in the development of graphene science right from the laboratory and theoretical research to technology innovations, applications, and commercialization in a manner that stimulates contribution to lifelong learning.

The individual portions of the book ought to be viewed as representative cases of important concepts in graphene science. We endeavored to offer a deeper exploration of ideas and concepts laying firm foundations for creating new research ideas. We sought a simple approach to the materials to facilitate easier readership and digestion by students and early career scholars to provide definitive foundations for research

careers across the representative fields while also hoping to stimulate new research topics, ideas, debates, and critical insights among the readership that is more experienced in research and related practice in this area.

> **Enos W. Wambu** Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya

#### **References**

[1] Wallace PR. The band theory of graphite. Physical Review. 1947;**71**(9):622-634

[2] Boehh VH, Clauss A, Fischer G. Das Adsorptionsverhalten—sehr dunner Ko hlenstoff Folien. Zeitschrift für Anorg und Allg Chemie. 1962;**316**(3-4):117-250

[3] Novoselov KS, Geim AK, Morozov SV, Jiang D, Zhang Y, Dubonos SV, et al. Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films science. Science (80– ). 2004;**306**(5696):666-669

[4] Page S, Receives A, Led P, Grant NSF, Byer R, Ke WR. APS news. APS News. 2009;**18**(9):2

[5] Graphene Flagship. Article. Global graphene market will continue to grow, researchers find. 2024. Available from: https://graphene-flagship.eu/ materials/news/global-graphene-marketwill-continue-to-grow-researchersfind/#:~:text=The global graphene market has, 1.5 billion US%24 in 2027

Section 1
