Abstract: Graphene — the limiting form of graphite, with a twodimensional crystalline structure of single atomic layer, was first obtained in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester. In 2010, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to them “for groundbreaking experiments regarding the twodimensional material graphene”. Starting from the history of carbon materials, this review summarizes recent developments in structural properties，characterizations and preparation of graphene. Future trends and challenges in graphene research are discussed.

Key words: graphene, carbon, two-dimensional material, fog pollution, climate change, formation mechanism, atmospheric chemistry