Graphene synthesis by chemical vapor deposition and transfer by a roll-to-roll process

TL;DR

This paper reports on the synthesis of large-area single- to few-layer graphene films via CVD on Ni foils and introduces an efficient roll-to-roll transfer process to flexible substrates, challenging existing assumptions about graphene formation mechanisms.

Contribution

It is the first to demonstrate a roll-to-roll transfer of centimeter-scale graphene from Ni foil to flexible PET substrates, advancing scalable flexible graphene production.

Findings

Precipitation is not the sole mechanism in graphene formation on Ni.

Controlling cooling rate may not effectively control graphene thickness.

Successful roll-to-roll transfer to flexible substrates achieved.

Abstract

We synthesized centimeter-scale single- to few-layer graphene (FLG) films via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on Ni foils. We demonstrates that the precipitation mechanism may not be the only important mechanism in the formation of graphene by CVD in Ni system, and that controlling the cooling rate in the CVD process may not be the appropriate way to control the thickness of graphene films. In addition, we are the first to demonstrate the transfer of centimeter-scale FLG from Ni foil to transparent flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates via an efficient roll-to-roll process. Comparing to rigid substrates, synthesis of graphene on flexible Ni foil has necessity for the use of a roll-to-roll transfer process.