G.G. Botte
Ohio University - Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research,
United States
Keywords: graphene, nanotechnology, electronic conductivity, nanomaterials
Summary:
Coal-Derived Graphene films have been produced via an innovative two-step process: coal electrolysis and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Coal electrolysis is used to activate the surface of the coal particles and build saturated carbon films/compounds. These films are subsequently converted to few-layer graphene films via coal pyrolysis in hydrogen (a by-product of coal electrolysis in the first step). These films are currently deposited on copper, but can be optimized for and deposited on other substrates of choice. These combined techniques (electrolysis and CVD) incorporate inexpensive raw material usage with high purity graphene (thermal-based as opposed to solvent-based technique) and scalability (roll-to-roll production). In summary, Coal-Derived Graphene provides a foundation for overcoming market impediments for graphene-enabled devices and systems. Technology advances since TechConnect 2016 include experimentally measured conductivity on the order of 200 ohm per square for applications in Flexible LCDs, Smart Windows and Touchscreens; pilot-scale production of graphene sheets up to 6700 square cm.