Vortex fluidic mediated transformation of graphite into highly conducting graphene scrolls

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Two-dimensional graphene exhibits exceptional properties, driving innovation across various applications.
• Fabricating precisely tunable monolayer graphene scrolls has been a significant challenge, limiting niche applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a high-yield method for fabricating monolayer graphene scrolls.
• To investigate the electrical contact properties of these graphene scrolls with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG).
• To explore the potential of these scrolls in microelectronics and all sp²-carbon circuits.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of monolayer graphene scrolls from graphite flakes under non-equilibrium conditions at room temperature in dynamic thin liquid films.
• Utilizing conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) to assess electrical contact formation.

Main Results:

• Successful high-yield fabrication of monolayer graphene scrolls.
• Demonstrated that graphene scrolls form highly conducting electrical contacts with HOPG.
• Observed scroll unraveling into buckled graphene sheets above 450 °C, with theoretical understanding.

Conclusions:

• The developed method enables efficient production of graphene scrolls with excellent electrical contact properties.
• These findings support the integration of graphene scrolls into microcircuits and all sp²-carbon electronic devices.
• The temperature-dependent behavior of the scrolls opens possibilities for tunable electronic components.