China's graphene development: re-application to avoid the low end of the industrial chain
August 05 13:14:25, 2025
After two European scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking research on graphene, the material quickly captured global attention within just a few months. With its potential to spark a new wave of material innovation, graphene has become a hot topic around the world. When Sichuan Jinlu Resin Co., Ltd. announced its collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to develop graphene-based products, the domestic enthusiasm for this revolutionary material reached a fever pitch.
It seems that both domestic enterprises and international players are racing to seize the opportunity in this emerging field, which is expected to reshape the landscape of the downstream industries. However, during a recent interview, many industry experts and business leaders warned that investing in graphene carries significant risks, urging caution as the sector is still in its early stages.
Revolutionary Potential of Graphene
According to interviews with experts and researchers, graphene is a single-layer carbon material arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Its thickness is only about 0.34 nanometers—roughly one-hundred-thousandth the diameter of a human hair. Despite being nearly invisible to the naked eye, graphene holds immense promise across various fields, including semiconductors, photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries, and next-generation displays, thanks to its exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.
First, graphene could dramatically increase the speed of computer processors. As the cornerstone of the semiconductor industry, silicon has long been the primary material used in chips. However, once it reaches a frequency of 3 GHz at room temperature, further improvements become challenging. In contrast, graphene exhibits an extremely high carrier mobility—up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of cm²/Vs—making it a potential replacement for silicon. This could enable processors to operate at speeds of 100 GHz or even 1,000 GHz, ushering in a new era of computing.
Zhang Guangyu, a researcher at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained that replacing silicon with graphene could revolutionize the performance of electronic devices. He also pointed out that graphene's transparency and conductivity make it an ideal candidate for transparent conductive films used in touchscreens and LED displays.
Currently, indium tin oxide is the main material used in these applications, but it lacks the flexibility and durability of graphene. By substituting it with graphene, manufacturers can create foldable or stretchable display devices. South Korea’s Samsung and Sungkyunkwan University have already developed flexible transparent displays using multiple layers of graphene, suggesting that future smartphones may be rolled up like a pencil.
Secondly, graphene is set to transform energy storage. Supercapacitors, which sit between traditional capacitors and rechargeable batteries, can charge in seconds and store large amounts of energy. Graphene’s ultra-large surface area—2,630 m²/g for a single layer—makes it an excellent material for supercapacitor electrodes. Experiments have shown that graphene-based supercapacitors can hold more than six times the energy of conventional capacitors of the same size.
Moreover, graphene can significantly enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Adding graphene to battery electrodes improves electrical conductivity, allowing for faster charging and higher energy density. Studies show that graphene-based negative electrodes can achieve specific capacities of over 540 mAh/g, far surpassing the 370 mAh/g of traditional graphite anodes.
Beyond electronics, graphene also shows promise in aerospace, defense, and infrastructure. Its strength is ten times that of steel, making it ideal for lightweight aircraft materials, bulletproof armor, and even futuristic "space elevator" cables. These applications could lead to major breakthroughs in multiple industries.
The Surge in Interest
Following the Nobel Prize announcement, graphene became a global sensation. Many Chinese companies rushed to enter the market, hoping to lead the next technological revolution. Listed companies involved in graphene-related technologies saw massive stock price surges, often driven by speculation rather than real progress.
For example, after a senior executive from Shenzhen Beitui New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. mentioned the company’s graphene research, China Baoan’s stock price jumped from 10.75 yuan to 19.16 yuan within a month. Later, when the company announced successful small-scale production and submitted a patent, its stock surged again, hitting the daily limit in the market.
Other listed firms, such as Gansu Fangda Carbon New Materials, Sinosteel Jilin Carbon, ST Nanfeng, and Anhui Lihe, also experienced sharp increases in stock prices. The level of excitement surrounding graphene in China is evident, but experts warn that the industry is still in its infancy and requires careful development.