Electrolytic Copper Foil for Graphene Synthesis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing graphene on copper foils face challenges such as non-uniform layer formation, high resistance values, and the presence of amorphous carbon, making it difficult to achieve clean single-layer graphene suitable for industrial applications and mass production.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrolytic copper foils with specific properties, such as tensile strength ranges and thermal treatment conditions, combined with a nickel seed in the copper electrolytic solution at controlled concentrations, facilitates uniform graphene synthesis by reducing electrical conductivity and optimizing the resistance value below 300 ohm/square.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional copper foil is used for graphene synthesis, then graphene can be grown on the substrate, but the graphene layers are distributed non-uniformly in an island shape and multi-layer graphene coexists with amorphous carbon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the copper foil substrate by specifying precise tensile strength ranges (45-70 kgf/mm² before thermal treatment, 20-35 kgf/mm² after) and controlling nickel concentration in the electrolytic solution at 1000 ppm or lower. These parameter optimizations enable uniform single-layer graphene formation while preventing amorphous carbon formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nickel as an intermediary substance in the electrolytic solution during copper foil production. The nickel acts as a seed that facilitates uniform graphene nucleation and growth on the copper foil surface, preventing non-uniform island-shaped distribution and multi-layer formation.
2Reliability
If high conductivity copper foil is used, then electrical conductivity is maintained, but resistance value after graphene synthesis exceeds 300 ohm/square
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the tensile strength parameters of copper foil (45-70 kgf/mm² before thermal treatment, 20-35 kgf/mm² after) and controls nickel concentration (≤1000 ppm) to achieve the desired resistance value of less than 300 ohm/square while maintaining adequate electrical conductivity for graphene synthesis.
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesive tape method is used to separate graphene layers, then graphene can be obtained, but the number of layers is not constant and large-area graphene sheet is not easily obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical adhesive tape separation method with an electrochemical synthesis approach. By controlling the electrochemical parameters during copper foil production (tensile strength, nickel concentration), uniform single-layer graphene is directly formed on the copper foil surface, eliminating the need for mechanical peeling and ensuring consistent layer number.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the formation of uniformly distributed graphene on the copper foil with improved conductivity and surface quality, facilitating industrial applications by ensuring graphene is synthesized easily and effectively on the electrolytic copper foil.
Implementation Method 1
addition of nickel serving as a seed may allow lowering an electrical conductivity after graphene synthesis
Implementation Method 2
the electrolytic copper foil after thermal treatment has a tensile strength of 20 to 35 kgf/mm2 at a room temperature
Implementation Method 3
in the synthesis of graphene on the electrolytic copper foil, adding nickel serving as a seed may allow lowering an electrical conductivity after graphene synthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electrolytic copper foil for graphene and a method for producing the copper foil, in which, in the manufacture of the electrolytic copper foil for graphene, addition of nickel facilitates the synthesis of the graphene. The addition of nickel which serves as a seed in the synthesis of graphene on electrolytic copper foil reduces the electrical conductivity after graphene synthesis. As a result, graphene is uniformly formed on the surface of the copper foil. Further, the present disclosure may provide the electrolytic copper foil for graphene and the method for producing the copper foil in which an electrolytic copper foil having a resistance value of less than 300 ohm/square after the synthesis of the graphene on the electrolytic copper foil is produced, thereby, facilitate the formation of graphene on the electrolytic copper foil.