Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
11:09
Scalable Solution-processed Fabrication Strategy for High-performance, Flexible, Transparent Electrodes with Embedded Metal Mesh
Published on: June 23, 2017
Scalable Ni-Based Diffusion Synthesis of Highly Graphitic Nanointerlaced and Photopatternable Material with Fast
Carina Chávez-Granados1, Pedro Roquero2, Oscar Pilloni3
1Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, México.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a scalable method to create highly conductive graphitic micropatterns using electrospinning and catalytic graphitization. This breakthrough enhances carbon microdevices for applications in sensors and energy systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Graphitic and nanostructured carbon materials offer excellent properties but are difficult to integrate into microdevices.
- Existing Carbon-MEMS (C-MEMS) methods produce low-conductivity amorphous carbon.
- A scalable method is needed to produce high-conductivity graphitic microdevices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable method for synthesizing highly conductive graphitic micropatterns.
- To improve the integration of carbon materials into microdevices.
- To enable the fabrication of next-generation miniaturized sensors and energy systems.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of a photosensitive SU-8/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite.
- Pyrolysis and catalytic graphitization using a nickel (Ni) film.
- Characterization using Raman spectroscopy, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and electrochemical analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved increased graphitization (ID/IG = 0.3) and formation of graphitic domains with parallel lattices.
- Enhanced electrical conductivity of carbon nanofiber mats (615.0–824.2 S/m).
- Demonstrated superior electrochemical charge-transfer kinetics (k° = 0.064 cm/s) and direct integration into silicon substrates.
Conclusions:
- The Ni-catalyzed process transforms disordered carbon into highly conductive graphitic structures.
- MWCNT inclusion and reduced porosity significantly boost conductivity.
- This scalable route facilitates the direct fabrication of advanced graphitic microdevices for sensors and energy applications.
