Mechanical Exfoliation

Mechanical exfoliation is a technique used to peel off thin layers of material from a solid surface, typically to isolate individual layers of a substance like graphite. By applying gentle pressure and peeling, a very thin sheet—such as graphene—can be separated from a bulk material. This process relies on the natural weak forces holding these layers together, allowing researchers to produce ultra-thin, high-quality sheets for scientific study and technological applications. It’s a straightforward, manual method that has significantly advanced the development of two-dimensional materials.