The desired use of graphene and carbon nanotubes in additive applications for their high-conductive qualities qualify them as some of the most promising advanced materials. They are covered in-depth in IDTechEx's portfolio of Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals Research Reports, along with next-generation technologies and predictions for their increased growth.
Pure and next-generation graphene
Gaining Nobel prize recognition in 2010, graphene has long been known as a material with incredible strength, conductivity, and gas impermeability. However, harnessing these characteristics of graphene infamously requires some level of difficulty in creating uncompromised, pristine single-layer sheets. As a 2D carbon nanomaterial, the scale of working with graphene is small, though recent developments in the industry have displayed some success in commercial uptake.
Graphene does not only come in the form of single-layer sheets, with many types of graphene having best-suited applications, each with cost and performance considerations. The spectrum of advanced carbons is wide, ranging from rubber carbon black through to Buckminsterfullerene, and includes graphene powder, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene oxide, graphene wafers, and graphene films within the middle section of 2D types. The properties of graphene particles to be considered in their application include thickness, number of layers, carbon content, density, and price, amongst others. Where one type of graphene particle suits a specific application, another may not, creating standardization difficulties and a need to review on a case-by-case basis, further preventing quick adoption of the material within many markets.
The movement towards new generations of graphene is already ongoing, potentially serving as a threat to current players. Some companies may begin producing their own graphene additives to fulfil a need that the current market availability cannot address, while others are developing technologies to add key functionality to graphene, such as through oxidation control. Next-generation graphene could also see new production processes or bio feedstocks being utilized, for more sustainable and efficient approaches to manufacturing graphene. However, IDTechEx identifies that these developments are far from commercial adoption.
IDTechEx's report, "Graphene & 2D Materials 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, Players", predicts the graphene market to hit US$1billion by 2032, and covers the many players already operating within the sector. The number of companies able to produce true graphene is, however, still limited, with thin graphite being a more commonly available option.
CNTs continue to thrive
On an even smaller scale than graphene, described as 1D, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exist in multiwall and single wall variations. Despite their longstanding presence, they are experiencing a period of commercial growth, with more application sectors opening up. When compared with copper, CNTs offer much greater tensile strength, thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and charge carrying capacity. Some of the main problems that still exist for CNTs, however, include difficulty in transferring their use to macroscale, chirality optimization, and working between single and multiwall forms. IDTechEx's report, "Carbon Nanotubes 2025-2035: Market, Technology & Players", covers some of the newest developments and trends across the CNT market.
Multiwall CNTs are seeing growth as a result of the demand for lithium-ion batteries, largely due to the rise of electric vehicles. CNTs are used within the battery cathode as a conductive additive meaning lowered costs and rising volumes are being seen, creating more opportunity for new markets to see uptake of the materials. IDTechEx's report outlines some new manufacturing approaches including hybrid materials, functionalization, and higher aspect-ratio tubes, which could help drive developments and growth further, as they become more suitable for a wider range of applications.
Single wall CNTs, on the other hand, are further behind in adoption, and are still in early stages with only a few small-scale manufacturers carrying out research into their use. The high costs, as a result of the limited scale, mean that these CNTs can't yet compete with other alternatives like graphene and multiwall CNTs as additive materials. However, IDTechEx predicts their main target applications to be for use within solar cells, silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries, and electronics, where their superlative qualities could have a huge impact and potentially revolutionize the space.
For more information on graphene and CNTs and other advanced materials, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals Research Reports, for the latest research into the growing markets.
