1. Healthier hair in just 10 minutes with graphene dye
Read the full article at rsc.li/2q4I23m
Most hair dyes contain dangerous substances such as anilines, phenols or ammonia. Some of these are toxic, can damage the hair, or cause an allergic reaction.
Carbon, in the form of graphene, does not have any of these dangers, and has the added advantages of cooling down quicker and not building up electrical charge. Graphene can be used to dye blonde hair darker, according to researchers from the US and China.
The dye is applied as 2 μm-thick sheets of transparent graphene oxide mixed with vitamin C. The graphene oxide reduces to black graphene when the hair is blow-dried.
This slide summarises a recent article published by Chemistry World. Use this slide as a lesson starter.
Image credit: Only a lock of hair by pre-Raphelite painter John Everett Millais, 1858, Manchester City Galleries. This image is in the public domain
Only a lock of hair by John Everett Millais, 1858
Manchester City Galleries

2. Healthier hair in just 10 minutes with graphene dye
Read the full article at rsc.li/2q4I23m
Most hair dyes contain dangerous substances such as anilines, phenols or ammonia. Some of these are toxic, can damage the hair, or cause an allergic reaction.
Carbon, in the form of graphene, does not have any of these dangers, and has the added advantages of cooling down quicker and not building up electrical charge. Graphene can be used to dye blonde hair darker, according to researchers from the US and China.
Only a lock of hair by John Everett Millais, 1858
Manchester City Galleries
The dye is applied as 2 μm-thick sheets of transparent graphene oxide mixed with vitamin C. The graphene oxide reduces to black graphene when the hair is blow-dried.
State and explain three things you could do in order to use a dangerous hair dye as safely as possible.
Describe what the word ‘toxic’ means, giving another example of a toxic substance. Compare your definition with someone else’s and decide which is best.
What is the relationship between carbon and graphene?
Design an advert for this new hair dye. Include a product name and reasons why someone should buy it.
This slide summarises a recent article published by Chemistry World. Use this slide as a lesson starter. It also contains questions which can be used to engage pupils.
Image credit: Only a lock of hair by pre-Raphelite painter John Everett Millais, 1858, Manchester City Galleries. This image is in the public domain
1. This is a good way to get pupils thinking about health and safety Eg 1 – use gloves to keep it off your hands 2 – Only have it on your head for a limited amount of time 3 – Check that you are not allergic 4 – Don’t use it frequently 5 – Get a professional / experienced person to help you / have training yourself
2. A good answer will have 1 - the idea that toxic means dangerous / poisonous 2 – to humans / living things 3 - the idea that it has to be a substance / the idea that ‘toxicity’ is a function of chemical properties (hence fire is dangerous but not toxic). Good examples are animal poisons/venoms, bleach and other cleaning chemicals, strychnine, deadly nightshade (even if they are not strictly toxic)
3. Pupils might have to research this, or simply clearly explain their current understanding. Graphene is a form of carbon. Graphene is an allotrope, a different physical form of the same element. Graphene is a subset of carbon. Other forms are diamond, graphite, nanotubes/bucky balls. Carbon can be an individual atom, but graphene is lots of carbon atoms in hexagons, in sheets
4. Use as a homework or plenary task. Award points for creativity, or explaining scientific points for the general public