Graphene Film Sensor Transfer Using Parylene Support Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in transferring graphene layers from a base substrate without damaging or degrading their conductivity, particularly in forming three-dimensional graphene devices, is a challenge in existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the deposition of a polymer material, such as parylene, over a graphene film using gas phase deposition, which serves as a support for the graphene film, allowing the substrate to be removed through electrochemical delamination or acid etching, thereby preserving the graphene's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If graphene is transferred from a base substrate using conventional methods, then the graphene layer can be moved to the target substrate, but the graphene layer is damaged or polluted and its conductivity is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymer support material as an intermediary between the base substrate and the target substrate. This polymer support allows the graphene layer to be transferred without direct contact with the target substrate during the transfer process, preventing damage and pollution that would otherwise degrade conductivity. The polymer acts as a protective mediator throughout the transfer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by depositing the polymer support material onto the base substrate before forming the graphene layer. This pre-established polymer support structure is designed to facilitate subsequent graphene transfer while protecting the graphene's integrity. The polymer is prepared in advance with specific properties (flexibility, biocompatibility) that will enable damage-free transfer.
2Reliability
If a polymer support is deposited over the graphene film, then the graphene film can be removed from the substrate without damage, but an additional deposition step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function with the transfer function by using the polymer material to serve both purposes simultaneously. The polymer is deposited to support the graphene during formation, then the same polymer enables subsequent transfer by allowing clean separation from the base substrate. This consolidation of functions reduces the need for separate protective measures and simplifies the overall process despite the additional deposition step.
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 maintains the conductivity and flexibility of the graphene film by avoiding transfer steps that can degrade its properties, enabling the formation of flexible, biocompatible, and conductive graphene devices, including three-dimensional structures.
Implementation Method 1
depositing, by gas phase deposition, a polymer material covering a surface of the graphene film
Implementation Method 2
removing the substrate from the graphene film, wherein the polymer material forms a support for the graphene film
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device including a conductive graphene film covered on at least one side by a graphene support layer of parylene, a detection element configured to sense an environmental change, and an electrode. The parylene repairs some defects of the conductive graphene film without damaging, polluting, or degrading the conductivity of conductive graphene film.