Abstract: In 2010,with the innovations in the study of graphene,Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov won the Nobel Prize in physics.Graphene is a kind of carbon nano material with single atomic layer,which has special excellent mechanical,electrical and optical properties.Besides,this new material involves a huge potential in the fields of physics,chemistry,information,energy,and device manufacturing.This paper introduces the structure and properties of graphene,and the innovations in the study of graphene by Andre Geim and Koatys Novoselov.The characteristics as well as problems of various preparation methods and characterization of graphene are analyzed.Moreover,the applications of graphene in various fields are summarized and its future development and research value is prospected.

Key words: graphene, structure, property, preparation, characterization, application