Researchers at the University of Rochester (New York) have found a simple, relatively cheap and very environmentally friendly way to produce graphene using Shewanella Oneidensis bacteria. When mixed with oxidized graphite, they remove most oxygen groups from the substance, leaving the conductive graphene.
Thanks to this process, you can create graphene on the scale necessary for the mass production of electronic devices and materials of the new generation.
With the help of the new method, the author of the study of Ann Meyer and her colleagues were able to get a more subtle, stable and durable graphene compared to the analogue obtained chemically.
The “bacterial” graphene can find the use of field transistors (FET) in biosengores, and detectors of certain biological molecules, for example, for monitoring glucose levels in diabetics.
This variety of graphene can also be used as conducting ink on printed circuit boards, in computer keyboards and even in the wires of the heating system of car glasses.
Source — Chemistryopen