Novel template-assisted microwave conversion of graphene oxide to graphene patterns: A reduction transfer mechanism

Graphene patterned graphene oxide thin films present a promising all-carbon material with potential in a wide range of applications. However, the direct conversion of designed domains of graphene oxide thin films into those of graphene has proven difficult. Herein, a template-assisted microwave conversion of graphene oxide to graphene patterns was developed, where microwave irradiation and chemical template of reduced graphene oxide were for the first time applied to give conductive graphene patterns on an insulating graphene oxide thin film through a reduction transfer mechanism. The characteristics of obtained graphene patterns were found to be closely related to those of templates used, which has, to our best knowledge, not been reported previously. The fast and easy conversion led to graphene patterns of tailorable shapes, clear boundaries and excellent electrical conductivity (36.5 Omega.sq(-1)), which may open a new avenue to graphene-based all-carbon electronic circuits. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.