Term: graphene layer
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02683

Definition:
A single carbon layer of the graphite structure, describing its nature by analogy to a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon of quasi infinite size.

Note: Previously, descriptions such as @G02684@ layers, carbon layers or carbon sheets have been used for the term graphene. Because @G02684@ designates that modification of the @C01022@ carbon, in which planar sheets of carbon atoms, each atom bound to three neighbours in a honeycomb-like structure, are stacked in a three-dimensional regular order, it is not correct to use for a single layer a term which includes the term @G02684@, which would imply a three-dimensional structure. The term graphene should be used only when the reactions, structural relations or other properties of individual layers are discussed.

Related Terms:
1) graphite (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02684).
2) chemical element (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01022).

Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 473. 'Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 491 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567030473)

Citation: 'graphene layer' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02683

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