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Laser-induced graphene: from precursor chemistry to process control and throughput-resolution-performance trade-offs
Zhenhao Wu1, Mirza Sahaluddin1, Diala Bani Mustafa1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. mbedewy@pitt.edu.
Nanoscale
|February 27, 2026
Summary
This review provides a process-structure-property framework for laser-induced graphene (LIG), linking precursor chemistry and laser parameters to material morphology and performance for scalable device fabrication.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Carbon Materials Science
Background:
- Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a versatile technology for fabricating conductive carbon materials on various substrates.
- Existing reviews focus on LIG devices and applications, lacking a unified framework connecting precursor structure, processing, and properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a process-structure-property perspective for LIG fabrication.
- To link precursor molecular structure, laser parameters, LIG morphology, and resulting material properties.
- To provide actionable design rules for scalable LIG device manufacturing.
Main Methods:
- Organizing carbon precursors by structure (single-layered and multilayered).
- Analyzing how molecular architecture, heteroatoms, and composite design influence LIG formation.
- Mapping laser parameters (fluence, kinetics) to morphology transitions and property evolution.
- Reviewing process control strategies for in situ LIG engineering and scalability.
- Introducing a quantitative scalability map and a sustainability assessment framework.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated how precursor chemistry and laser parameters dictate LIG graphitization pathways, morphology (isotropic porous, anisotropic cellular, woolly fibers), and properties (sheet resistance, capacitance, wettability, catalytic activity).
- Highlighted process control approaches for engineering LIG, enabling scale and property enhancement.
- Identified an underexplored manufacturing window for high-resolution, conductive LIG features.
- Proposed a framework for comparing the sustainability of LIG production from different feedstocks.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive framework connecting LIG precursor chemistry, laser processing, morphology, and properties is established.
- Actionable design rules are provided to advance LIG from laboratory demonstrations to robust, high-throughput devices.
- Future research priorities include systematic precursor libraries, in situ diagnostics, and advanced manufacturing strategies.
