Nearing scalable production highly crystalline graphene films which could be used for electronic devices and sensors

Researchers discovered a procedure to restore defective graphene oxide structures that cause the material to display low carrier mobility. By applying a high-temperature reduction treatment in an ethanol environment, defective structures were restored, leading to the formation of a highly crystalline graphene film with excellent band-like transport. These findings are expected to come into use in scalable production techniques of highly crystalline graphene films.

Transmission electron microscope images observed from the reduced graphene oxide films prepared by ethanol treatment at (a) 900ºC and (b) 1100ºC. For the high temperature treatment, the periodic bright spots are observed in the reduced graphene oxide films. This means that the crystallinity of the reduced graphene oxide is efficiently improved by high temperature treatment in ethanol environment. CREDIT Osaka University

The researchers coated a substrate with 1-3 extremely thin layers of GO and added a small amount of ethanol to the up to 1100°C high temperature reduction process. The addition of the carbon-based ethanol gas led to the effective restoration of the defective graphene structure.

The successful creation of thin graphene films achieved through the above reduction method has opened up the possibility of their application in a diverse set of electronic devices and sensors. The findings of this research group form a milestone in the development of scalable materials that utilize graphene’s excellent physical properties.

SOURCE- Eurekalert, Osaka University