A comparative LCA of different graphene production routes

Abstract

This study presents an LCA of three graphene production routes: electrochemical exfoliation of graphite rods, graphite chemical oxidation and subsequent chemical or thermal reduction and chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Different processes for each route are analysed and their cradle-to-gate LCA is presented. A comparative LCA of the least impacting processes for each route is also presented showing that the chemical oxidation process followed by thermal reduction is the least impacting route to produce large quantities of graphene when lab equipment is used to its full potential. A prospective LCA on a likely commercial scale of the least impacting processes is also presented and shows that almost all processes benefit from a scale-up activity and that the least impacting material route remains chemical oxidation followed by thermal reduction. An optimistic scenario in which all electricity comes from renewable sources is also presented. While this last scenario promotes the more energy intensive processes, the least impacting technology to produce large quantities of graphene remains chemical oxidation followed by thermal reduction.