Thin Graphene Shields Glasses From Damage Under Water: IIT Delhi Study
Ever noticed how something as simple as cleaning raindrops off your eyeglasses, wiping a windshield, or removing spilled water from a glass tabletop can leave unsightly marks? These everyday scenarios reveal the vulnerability of glass, which, despite its transparency and functionality, is prone to surface damage during routine use.
Surprisingly, the water surrounding us in the form of humidity or moisture makes things even worse. For example, windshield wipers sweeping dusty glass during a rainy drive can create microscopic scratches as tiny dirt grinds against the surface. Similarly, cleaning a glass table or eyewear lens with a damp cloth may seem harmless, but water molecules can promote and seep into micro-scratches, wearing out the glass at a molecular level. These water-driven processes, though often invisible, are a hidden enemy of glass, reducing its strength, lifespan, and reliability.
Read also: IISc, IITs Drop in THE 2025 Rankings; Oxford, MIT Lead
Moving in the direction of addressing this challenge, IIT Delhi researchers Prof. Nitya Nand Gosvami, Materials Science and Engineering Department, Prof. N. M. Anoop Krishnan, Civil Engineering Department, and Prime Minister’s Research Fellow Dr. Sourav Sahoo demonstrated that about a nanometer-thick graphene—by virtue of its exceptional chemical shielding and mechanical strength—can remarkably improve the durability of glasses exposed to water.
“Repeated scratch tests carried out at the nanoscale revealed that just a few layers of graphene can transform fragile silica glass into a damage-resistant surface in water by preventing severe wear. Interestingly, zero wear was observed when scratched with both hard diamond and reactive silicon countersurfaces, despite the latter being aggressively corrosive to glasses,” Prof. Nitya Nand Gosvami said.
“Molecular simulations reveal the secret behind graphene’s effectiveness: it prevents the chemical ‘sticking’ of glass to reactive bodies sliding in the presence of water. This shielding ability of graphene protects the glass from combined physical and chemical damage,” stated Prof. N. M. Anoop Krishnan.
In essence, this research highlights a simple yet practical solution for creating ultra-durable glass coatings, particularly for moisture-sensitive applications, such as smartphone screens, camera lenses, automotive windshields, solar panels, and even optical instruments exposed to humid or wet environments.
Read also: JMI Violates Muslim Reservation In PhD Admission 2024-25: Student Body
The research paper titled “Graphene Mitigates Nanoscale Tribochemical Wear of Silica Glass in Water” was published- (https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202410040).
The research team also included Ms. Zuhaa Khan from the Materials Science and Engineering Department and Mr. Sajid Mannan from the Civil Engineering Department, IIT Delhi.
