Synthesis of graphene from solid carbon sources: A focused review

Graphene, the two-dimensional form of carbon, gained immense attention from scientists and engineers around the world due to its unmatched physio-chemical properties. The first and foremost challenge faced by the research community so far has been the large-area synthesis of graphene. Thereby, keeping in view the feasibility and applicability, many research groups have put their efforts into producing the best quality graphene by different techniques including mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and epitaxial growth. Hitherto, CVD, by far, provides the best quality graphene that can be adopted at the industrial level. However, other techniques have also been put to the test, some of which are also the highlights of our study. Herein, we present a review of the graphene growth via Solid Carbon Sources in particular. Solid precursors such as graphite, SiC, polymers, and even solid bio-precursors and solid waste materials are used in different studies in an effort to produce viable and better-quality graphene. • We critically reviewed the Synthesis of graphene particularly from solid carbon sources. • We summarized and compared the different types of solid carbon sources. • We summarized the graphene growth from polymers, graphite, SiC, Solid and Bio-wastes. • We concluded that our study can provide a pathway towards the challenge of large area low-cost R2R production of graphene.