Minute-level-fast and recyclable large-area monolayer graphene transfer onto polymer membranes

Monolayer graphene-based composites are of immense importance for research and applications in the microelectronic and thermal-management fields. For the current continuous production of monolayer graphene protocols, chemical etching of the catalyst layer acts as the bottleneck, which is tedious, expensive, and polluting. Thus in this work, by combining chemical etching and mechanical exfoliation, copper foil etching has been compressed from hours to 30 s, with the foil entirely recyclable and reusable. Furthermore, the whole transfer process could be confined within 7 min, including all pre- and post-treatments, without the usage of any intermediate, glue, electricity, vacuum, heat, or pressure. And this minute-level-fast monolayer graphene transfer could be performed continuously multiple times. The key to this novel transfer method is the superficial etching and the subsequent delamination of copper foil off graphene. In-situ OM, AFM, SEM, Raman, and UV-vis spectra have been employed to carefully inspect the transfer mechanism, effectiveness, and quality. The prepared monolayer graphene/polymer composite membrane is ultrathin (similar to 200 nm), conductive, highly transparent (93.9%), and flexible simultaneously. Its application as an ultrathin, efficient, and conformable Joule heating membrane-form device has been demonstrated. This minute-level-fast transfer is well-adapted to continuous monolayer graphene production and could considerably improve their practicality and efficiency. Additionally, this study provides more understanding of the interface between graphene-polymer and graphene-catalyst and a minute-level-fast route to fabricate 2D-based polymeric composite materials.

Automated summary

This study presents a minute-level-fast transfer method for monolayer graphene by combining chemical etching and mechanical exfoliation. The prepared monolayer graphene/polymer composite membrane is ultrathin, conductive, highly transparent, and flexible, demonstrating its potential application as an ultrathin, efficient, and conformable Joule heating membrane-form device.