Researchers develop a new method for preparing graphene

New process for preparing graphene

Graphene is very thin, but its amazing strength, high electrical conductivity, and low chemical activity make it widely useful in the technical field. Unfortunately, the preparation of graphene is rather difficult and therefore limits its usefulness. However, MIT and the University of Michigan have devised a new method for the large-scale production of graphene. The problem of "preparation is difficult" may soon usher in changes.

Previously, the usual means of preparing graphene, including "rapidly peeling off a layer" on the graphite solids. However, the disadvantage of doing so is also obvious, that is, carbon atom-thick graphene material can only be attached to the film film.

Another common method of preparation is "deposition of graphene on metal foils." Both of the above methods are troublesome - graphene must be removed from the tape or foil and then transferred to a specific electronic device or other substrate (such as silicon or glass) - often causing damage or contamination of the graphene material.

The new method at MIT and the University of Michigan is the deposition of graphene directly onto the substrate of the final product. In the laboratory tests, they covered the silica glass (substrate) with a nickel film on one side, and then deposited graphene on the film by “chemical vapor deposition”.

In this way, graphene is applied on both sides of the membrane—1 at the bottom and the other between nickel (film) and glass (substrate). Subsequently, the top layer of the nickel film and the graphene is peeled off, while the bottom layer of the graphene remains on the glass plate and can be directly used for the production of a touch screen or a solar cell. Of course, the top layer of material can still be "recycled" (not wasted) using the current foil preparation method.

The process is suitable for both large and small-scale production (from glass substrates to large silicon chips). However, before the technology is popularized, there are still two aspects that need further optimization. That is, the uniformity and quality of graphene still need to be improved.