Recent trends in transforming different waste materials into graphene via Flash Joule Heating

The conversion of waste materials into graphene using the Flash Joule Heating (FJH) method presents an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to addressing the global issue of environmental pollution. FJH efficiently transforms carbon-based materials, such as plastics, batteries, and food wastes, into high-quality graphene by applying a high-voltage electrical current that generates temperatures exceeding 3000 °C within milliseconds to seconds. This technique not only offers a rapid and energy-efficient pathway for graphene synthesis but also tackles the environmental drawbacks of traditional waste disposal methods. Compared to conventional graphene production techniques, which depend on using harsh chemicals or extreme conditions and tend to be energy-intensive and costly, FJH is scalable, fast, cost-efficient as it costs 130-135 US dollars per ton using coal as a carbon source, capable of handling a wide range of waste materials without requiring solvents or catalysts, and only produces about 10 kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂) compared to 400-500 kg released from conventional synthesis for each kg of graphene. Flash graphene (FG) shows promise in various applications, including concrete production, water purification, and supercapacitors, making it a crucial contributor to the development of sustainable technologies. This article delves into the basics of FJH, the automation, and the scaling up of the process over the last four years with an aspiration to produce 100 tons of graphene per day. Various characterization techniques of FG, the advantages of FG compared to conventional graphene, and the challenges and limitations of FJH are discussed.