Today, we will talk about the optical properties of G-Flake® graphene materials synthesized at Łukasiewicz – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics, deposited on glass surfaces. In the video illustrating today’s Graphene Weekly entry, you can see a glass slide covered with a thin layer (approx..10 nm) of reduced graphene oxide.
One of the most remarkable properties of thin graphene-based layer is its exceptional optical transparency. It is well established that a graphene monolayer absorbs only about 3% of incident light across the visible spectrum, allowing over 97% of light to pass through. This high level of transparency makes such material an intriguing candidate for applications requiring transparent conductive materials, such as touchscreens, solar cells, and flexible electronics.
What is more, optical properties of such layer can be tuned by varying the number of layers. As the number of layers increases, the optical absorbance also changes, allowing for a degree of control over the material’s optical characteristics. This tunability is crucial for tailoring graphene’s performance in specific optical applications.
It should be underlined that a broadband absorption capability is particularly relevant for energy-harvesting applications. The material absorbs light over a wide spectral range, from ultraviolet to infrared, making it an efficient absorber of solar radiation. This characteristic can be exploited in the development of graphene-based photodetectors and solar cells, where the material’s optical features contribute to high-performance devices.