A process for exfoliating untreated 3-dimensional material to produce a 2-dimensional material, said process comprising the steps of mixing the untreated 3-dimensional material in a liquid to provide a mixture; applying shear force to said mixture to exfoliate the 3-dimensional material and produce dispersed exfoliated 2-dimensional material in solution; and removing the shear force applied to said mixture, such that the dispersed exfoliated 2-dimensional material remains free and unaggregated in solution.