Context: Recently, the researchers from the City University of Hong Kong have produced a laser-induced form of graphene masks that inactivate the coronavirus species.
Key Points
Graphene Mask and Coronaviruses

• Initial tests deactivated two coronavirus species. The researchers are also planning to test this mask on the Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) virus.
• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
• The researchers also tested it on E coli (bacteria), which showed an antibacterial efficiency of around 80%. The efficiency can be raised to almost 100% with exposure to sunlight for 10 minutes.

Graphene is known for antibacterial properties.

• Production: All carbon-containing materials, such as cellulose or paper, can be converted into graphene. The researchers described the production of laser-induced graphene as a "green technique."
• Benefits: It is reusable. Can also be produced at low cost. It also resolves the problems of sourcing raw materials and disposing of non-biodegradable masks.

Graphene

• It is a single layer (monolayer) of carbon atoms. It is one atom thick. It is the building-block of Graphite.
• Properties: It is harder than diamond yet more elastic than rubber; tougher than steel yet lighter than aluminium. Graphene is the strongest known material.

Other Properties of Graphene are

• Lowest resistivity substance known at room temperature.
• High thermal stability.
• High elasticity.
• High electrical conductivity.
• Electron mobility is high at room temperature.

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes can be used to filter common salt from seawater.

• Uses: Its thin composition and high conductivity means it can be used in applications ranging from miniaturised electronics to biomedical devices like computers, solar panels, batteries, sensors and other devices.
• Carbon Allotropes: Diamond, graphite and fullerenes (substances that include nanotubes and buckminsterfullerene) are the important allotropes of pure carbon.
• Allotropy is the property of some chemical elements to exist in two or more different forms, in the same physical state.