BSI launches new guide for graphene properties and use

BSI, the UK-based standards body and global certification company, has published a new guide to the properties of graphene flakes, PAS 1201. The guide provides an explanation of the physical and chemical properties of graphene flakes, and advice on information manufacturers and suppliers of graphene should give to prospective users.

Dan Palmer, Head of Manufacturing at BSI, says: PAS 1201 sets out the information that any manufacturer or interested party needs to understand about graphene before introducing this material to the manufacturing process. Standardizing the information that is made available about properties of graphene flakes is important in order for the commercial opportunities of graphene in the UK to be realized.

PAS 1201 is relevant for users who want to compare the basic properties of graphene flake materials from different manufacturers, who might use other manufacturing routes or post-treatments. Test equipment manufacturers, procurers, researchers, and policy makers may also find the document useful.

Illustrations of the different stages for manufacturing graphene flakes and for impacting graphene material selection are included in PAS 1201, as well as a comprehensive list of industry-agreed terms and definitions.

PAS 1201:2018 Properties of Graphene Flakes guide was sponsored by Innovate UK. The following organizations were also involved in its development as members of the Steering group: BAE Systems; Cambridge Nanomaterials Technology Ltd; Centre for Process Innovation Limited; DZP Technologies Ltd; Haydale; Iceni Labs Limited; Knowledge Transfer Network; National Physical Laboratory (NPL); PVI Industries; Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd; University of Warwick; Versarien plc.

In November 2017, The National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester joined forces with the NPL to develop a guide, as part of NPL's good practice guide series, that conveys "a detailed description of how to determine the key structural properties of graphene.