Graphene and 2D materials in 2026: overview
Graphene and 2D materials are sheets made of one or a few atomic layers, with electrical, optical and mechanical properties that can differ sharply from their bulk forms. Graphene is a conductor; materials such as MoS₂ are semiconductors, while h-BN is an insulator. Combining layers into van der Waals heterostructures lets researchers tailor interfaces and device behavior. The opportunity is substantial, but commercial use still depends on uniform growth, clean transfer and reliable contacts across large areas.
Research is shifting from isolated flakes toward controlled synthesis and device integration. In August 2026, Sungkyunkwan University and Hongik University reported wafer-scale ultrafine wrinkle architectures in TMDCs, while a separate study examined polymer support layers and their effects on MoS₂ transfer and transistor performance. Also in August 2026, a direct MOCVD study from RWTH Aachen and Aixtron pursued WS₂ monolayers on silicon dioxide and silicon for transfer-free FET fabrication. September 2026 publications addressed integrating single quantum emitters into 2D materials and improving TMDC photoluminescence, underscoring interest in scalable optoelectronics alongside persistent interface and materials-quality challenges.
- 1Scale without transfer: Direct MOCVD growth of WS₂ on silicon dioxide and silicon targets a key integration bottleneck by avoiding a separate film-transfer step.
- 2MXenes diverge: MXenes rose 5.3% in recent-period activity while graphene derivatives and transition metal dichalcogenides declined, marking a distinct direction in the field.
- 3Interfaces shape function: Work on heterostructures, polymer support layers and wrinkle architectures shows that interface and strain control can be as important as the choice of 2D material.
Top organizations working on graphene and 2D materials
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to graphene and 2D materials. Showing 7 of 3,000 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Van der Waals heterostructures | PUB 1,744 · NEWS 79 | -10% | Recently, research affiliated with CAS examined exciton hybridization in WS₂/MoS₂ heterobilayers and synthesized rhombohedral WS₂/MoS₂ nanoribbons, connecting layered-material interfaces with optical and nonlinear responses. |
| 2 | 
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research · China |
Transition metal dichalcogenides | PUB 1,098 · NEWS 4 | -22% | Recently, research affiliated with the university addressed wafer-scale dry transfer of single-crystalline transition-metal dichalcogenides and robust synthesis of quantum-grade TMDs, targeting scalable material integration. |
| 3 | 
Japan National Institute of Materials Science
Research · Japan |
Van der Waals heterostructures | PAT 1 · PUB 591 NEWS 87 |
-24% | Recently, research affiliated with NIMS reported CVD-grown MoSe₂–WSe₂ lateral and vertical heterostructures with interlayer exciton emission, alongside studies of excitons and ferroelectricity in layered materials. |
| 4 | 
Tsinghua University
Research · China |
Transition metal dichalcogenides | PAT 10 · PUB 743 NEWS 28 |
-27% | Recently, research affiliated with Tsinghua investigated atomically precise synthesis and integrated heterostructures of 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides, while also studying defect control and intercalated MoS₂. |
| 5 | 
University of Science and Technology of China
Research · China |
Transition metal dichalcogenides | PUB 762 · NEWS 7 | -10% | Recently, research affiliated with USTC reported recrystallization-driven growth of single-crystalline MoS₂ by metal-organic chemical vapor epitaxy and examined how polymer support layers affect MoS₂ transfer and transistor performance. |
| 6 | 
King Khalid University
Research · Saudi Arabia |
Graphene derivatives | PUB 616 · NEWS 1 | -24% | Recently, research affiliated with the university combined reduced graphene oxide with BiFeO₃ and perovskite oxides for oxygen-evolution catalysis, and used rGO composites in pollutant-removal studies. |
| 7 | 
Zhejiang University
Research · China |
Transition metal dichalcogenides | PAT 13 · PUB 659 NEWS 30 |
-20% | Recently, research affiliated with Zhejiang University visualized interface relaxation and stacking-registry evolution during MoS₂ growth at atomic scale, and investigated graphene–WSe₂ proximity effects. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 10 total
GrapheneaSpainGraphenea supplies graphene materials and devices, including CVD graphene films, graphene oxide, and graphene field-effect transistors, and offers custom manufacturing and prototyping.
Lyten Inc.United StatesRecently, Lyten’s graphene filaments were selected as the primary material for Modovolo’s industrial 3D-printing platform. The company develops three-dimensional graphene materials and related products.
Nanotech EnergyUnited StatesNanotech Energy develops graphene-based energy-storage materials and products. Its patent work covers conductive dispersions for printing and silicon–graphene composites for battery electrodes.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 2,779 total
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, research affiliated with CAS examined exciton hybridization in WS₂/MoS₂ heterobilayers and synthesized rhombohedral WS₂/MoS₂ nanoribbons, connecting layered-material interfaces with optical and nonlinear responses.
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinaRecently, research affiliated with the university addressed wafer-scale dry transfer of single-crystalline transition-metal dichalcogenides and robust synthesis of quantum-grade TMDs, targeting scalable material integration.
- Japan National Institute of Materials ScienceJapanRecently, research affiliated with NIMS reported CVD-grown MoSe₂–WSe₂ lateral and vertical heterostructures with interlayer exciton emission, alongside studies of excitons and ferroelectricity in layered materials.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where graphene and 2D materials innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 3,000 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphene derivatives | Graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide offer solution processing and adaptable surface chemistry, but defects and variable conductivity can limit performance. | 23,019 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, King Khalid University, King Saud University |
| Transition metal dichalcogenides | TMDCs provide tunable semiconducting and optical properties, while growth uniformity, defects and device contacts remain difficult to control. | 12,820 |
Japan National Institute of Materials Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| MXenes | MXenes combine conductive carbide or nitride layers with tunable surface terminations, but oxidation and processing stability can constrain use. | 13,788 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Yeungnam University, Tsinghua University |
| Two-dimensional insulators | Materials such as h-BN can serve as insulating layers and supports, though large-area production and integration with other 2D materials are challenging. | 2,438 |
Japan National Institute of Materials Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Elemental two-dimensional materials | Elemental sheets such as phosphorene and silicene offer distinctive electronic behavior, but stability and scalable fabrication are significant constraints. | 1,273 |
Samsung, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., University of Science and Technology of China |
| Van der Waals heterostructures | Stacking dissimilar 2D layers creates tunable interfaces and functions, but contamination, alignment and transfer can compromise device consistency. | 2,401 |
Japan National Institute of Materials Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Funding data lists $1,297,508,454 across 1,558 grants since 2020. It also records 23 funding rounds totaling $15,125,999,597; these round figures may include broad corporate or university financing rather than funding dedicated solely to graphene and 2D materials.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Sep 2026Since the discovery of graphene over two decades ago now, two-dimensional (2D) materials have revolutionized almost all areas of science and technology thanks to their unique properties compared with bulk materials.…Physics World
- Aug 2026Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) show promise for advanced functional electronic and optoelectronic devices beyond conventional silicon-based applications. Most methods for creating these…News & Analysis from AIP
- Aug 2026Researchers from Peking University, Chinese Academy of Sciences et al. published a technical paper titled “Homo-metal-element mediated surface modification of sapphire for robust epitaxy of wafer-scale…Semiconductor Engineering
- Jun 2026Researchers from Stanford University, Chalmers University of Technology, HORIBA Scientific, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have published “Scaling nanoribbon transistors with monolayer transition metal…Semiconductor Engineering
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about graphene and 2D materials
What companies are working on graphene and 2D materials?
The landscape lists 221 companies, including Graphenea, Lyten Inc. and Nanotech Energy. Graphenea supplies graphene materials and devices, Lyten develops three-dimensional graphene materials, and Nanotech Energy works on graphene-based energy-storage materials. Patent holders such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd, Samsung SDI and LG Corp are also active in the broader field.
Which graphene and 2D materials startups are notable in 2026?
Graphenea, Lyten Inc. and Nanotech Energy are named startups in the field. Graphenea supplies CVD graphene films, graphene oxide and graphene field-effect transistors; Lyten develops three-dimensional graphene materials; and Nanotech Energy focuses on energy-storage materials and products. These examples span materials supply, graphene products and battery-related development rather than a single application.
Who are the main graphene and 2D materials manufacturers or suppliers?
Graphenea is a named supplier of CVD graphene films, graphene oxide and graphene field-effect transistors, with custom manufacturing and prototyping. Lyten Inc. develops three-dimensional graphene materials, while Nanotech Energy works on graphene-based energy-storage materials. The available company examples therefore cover graphene supply and product development as well as application-focused materials.
Which universities and research centers lead graphene and 2D materials research?
The Chinese Academy of Sciences has 1,823 recent-window documents, followed by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences with 1,102 and Japan National Institute of Materials Science with 679. Their work includes heterostructure excitons, wafer-scale transfer of transition-metal dichalcogenides, and CVD-grown layered heterostructures.
How much funding has graphene and 2D materials received?
Funding data lists $1,297,508,454 across 1,558 grants since 2020. It also records 23 rounds totaling $15,125,999,597. The round total can include broad corporate or university financing and should not be read as funding dedicated exclusively to graphene and 2D materials.
Who holds the most graphene and 2D materials patents?
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd leads the listed patent holders with 245 patents. Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. has 125, Samsung has 111, LG Corp has 99, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has 82. The figures identify leading holders in the patent data, not necessarily ownership of every patent across the field.
Is graphene and 2D materials patent activity growing?
Patent activity declined 46.4% in the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months. The data counts 4,906 patents in its 24-month window. This field-wide decline sits alongside continued technical work on growth, transfer and device integration, so the patent trend alone does not indicate whether any specific material or application is advancing.
What are the latest developments in graphene and 2D materials?
Recent work includes wafer-scale ultrafine wrinkle architectures in TMDCs, direct MOCVD growth of WS₂ monolayers for transfer-free FET fabrication, and research on integrating single quantum emitters in 2D materials. August and September 2026 publications also address MoS₂ transfer effects and improving transition-metal dichalcogenide photoluminescence.
What are the applications of graphene and 2D materials?
The listed applications include energy conversion and storage, sensors, semiconductor electronics, photonics and optoelectronics, membranes and separation, and coatings and composites. Energy conversion and storage is the largest listed application area at 11,519 documents; sensors has 6,645, and semiconductor electronics has 4,488. These materials are also studied for optoelectronic devices and sensing platforms.
Which countries lead graphene and 2D materials?
China leads with 165,591 documents, or 41.0% of the listed total. The United States follows with 77,736 documents and India with 42,569. South Korea and Japan are also among the leading countries, with 27,502 and 21,326 documents respectively.