Substrates Used for Graphene Transfer

university wafer substrates

What Substrates Are Used for Graphene Transfer?

Graphene researchers have used the following Item #1583 Silicon
100mm P/B(100) 0.001-0.005 ohm-cm 500um SSP PRIME
w/300nm WET Thermal Oxide as a substrate for graphene transfer.

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What Is The Importance of Graphene Transfer?

Graphene transfer is a critical process because it enables the integration of high-quality graphene onto a variety of substrates, essential for many applications in electronics, optics, and materials science. Here are some reasons why graphene transfer is so important:

  1. Compatibility with Different Substrates

    • Graphene is often grown on materials like copper, which are not suitable for all applications. Transferring graphene onto other substrates (e.g., silicon, quartz, or polymers) allows it to be used in a wider range of technologies, such as semiconductors, sensors, and flexible electronics.

  2. Preservation of Graphene’s Properties

    • Directly growing graphene on a substrate can introduce impurities or defects, especially if high-temperature growth methods are used. Transferring graphene allows for controlled deposition onto substrates that preserve its structural integrity, maintaining its exceptional electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties.

  3. Enabling Device Fabrication

    • Many graphene applications, such as field-effect transistors (FETs) or photodetectors, require integration with materials like silicon dioxide, sapphire, or flexible polymers. Graphene transfer is essential for integrating it into microelectronic devices and circuits, where specific substrates are needed for functionality.

  4. Layer-by-Layer Assembly

    • Transfer techniques allow for the controlled stacking of graphene and other 2D materials, enabling the creation of custom heterostructures. These structures are foundational in developing new materials with tailored properties for applications like quantum computing and advanced photonics.

  5. Production of Transparent Conductors

    • Graphene’s transparency and conductivity make it ideal for applications like transparent electrodes in displays, solar cells, and touchscreens. Transferring graphene onto glass or polymer substrates allows it to be used as a transparent conductor, offering an alternative to materials like indium tin oxide (ITO).

  6. Flexibility and Lightweight Applications

    • By transferring graphene onto flexible substrates (e.g., PET or polyimide), it can be used in lightweight, bendable devices. This enables applications in wearable technology, flexible electronics, and foldable displays, where traditional materials are too rigid or heavy.

  7. Enabling High-Quality Research

    • The study of graphene’s properties, such as its electronic band structure and interaction with other materials, requires high-quality samples on specific substrates. Transfer methods allow researchers to place pristine graphene onto substrates with minimal contamination or defects, leading to more accurate experimental results.

  8. Scalability and Commercial Production

    • For industrial applications, large-scale graphene transfer is necessary to produce uniformly coated surfaces on a large scale. Developing reliable and efficient transfer methods is essential for scaling up graphene’s production for widespread commercial use.

Overall, graphene transfer is crucial for making graphene more versatile and applicable across a broad range of industries, from semiconductors and optoelectronics to flexible electronics and advanced materials research.

 

What Substrates Used for Graphene Transfer?

Graphene transfer typically requires substrates that can support and maintain the quality of graphene while facilitating the transfer process. Here are some commonly used substrates for graphene transfer:

  1. Silicon (Si) with Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) Layer

    • Why: The silicon dioxide layer (usually 300 nm thick) provides a contrast that makes monolayer graphene visible under an optical microscope. It also allows for easy back-gating in electronic experiments.
    • Applications: Common in electronics and sensor applications.

  2. Copper (Cu) Foil

    • Why: Used as a catalyst substrate in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of graphene. After growth, graphene is transferred from the copper foil to another substrate.
    • Applications: Common in large-scale graphene production.

  3. Polymer Films (PMMA or PDMS)

    • Why: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is often applied as a temporary support layer on graphene during transfer, particularly when transferring from copper.
    • Applications: Protects graphene during transfer, especially for flexible or wearable devices.

  4. Quartz (SiO2) or Fused Silica

    • Why: Provides a high-quality, smooth surface for graphene transfer, often used in applications requiring transparency and minimal impurities.
    • Applications: Optical and photonic applications.

  5. Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN)

    • Why: hBN has a similar structure to graphene, which helps maintain its electronic properties by minimizing substrate interactions.
    • Applications: High-performance electronics and research requiring pristine graphene properties.

  6. Sapphire (Al2O3)

    • Why: Provides an atomically flat surface and is resistant to deformation.
    • Applications: High-temperature applications and those needing optical transparency.

  7. Flexible Substrates (e.g., PET or PI Films)

    • Why: Used for flexible electronics and devices. These substrates allow graphene to be transferred onto flexible or bendable surfaces.
    • Applications: Wearable devices and flexible displays.

  8. Glass

    • Why: Glass wafers offers transparency and compatibility with optical applications.
    • Applications: Transparent conductors and optoelectronic devices.

The choice of substrate depends heavily on the end application, as different substrates affect the structural and electrical properties of graphene.