Graphene Transfer with Adhesion Promoter for Low Metal Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for obtaining graphene on a rigid substrate result in poor-quality products with high metal impurity contamination and poor transferability, making them unsuitable for industrial electronic applications.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a layered structure with a rigid substrate, adhesive polymer, and copper layer, where graphene is treated with an adhesion promoter and amine-containing chemical compound to enhance transferability and adhesion, reducing metal impurities to levels suitable for semiconductor fabrication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods are used to grow and transfer graphene on rigid substrates, then graphene can be obtained for electronic applications, but the graphene quality is poor and contaminated with metal impurities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphene qualityVSAvoidmetal impurity contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the copper layer from the graphene structure through selective etching processes, thereby separating the graphene from the metal substrate that causes contamination. This extraction eliminates the source of metal impurities while preserving the graphene quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces adhesive polymer layers as intermediary materials between the graphene and substrates. These polymer layers facilitate controlled transfer and bonding without direct contact between graphene and metal surfaces, preventing metal impurity contamination while maintaining graphene integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional transfer methods are used, then graphene can be moved to different substrates, but the transferability and adhesion are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransferabilityVSAvoidadhesion quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive promoters and amine-containing chemical compounds to the graphene surface before transfer operations. This preliminary treatment enhances surface properties and adhesion characteristics, ensuring better bonding performance during subsequent transfer and substrate attachment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies surface chemical parameters by treating graphene with specific chemical compounds that alter surface energy and adhesion properties. These parameter changes improve both transferability and final adhesion quality without compromising graphene integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If metal impurities are present above 10^12 atoms/cm², then conventional processing can be maintained, but electronic properties of graphene are detrimental

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidmetal impurity level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical transfer methods with chemically-assisted transfer processes. By using chemical etchants and adhesive promoters, the process achieves superior contamination control (metal impurity levels below 10^12 atoms/cm²) while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized chemical processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The process produces high-quality graphene with exceptionally low metal contamination, enabling efficient transfer and adhesion to target substrates, suitable for electronic applications.

Implementation Method 1

treating the exposed surface of the graphene with an adhesion promoter and an amine containing chemical compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4606766A1Process for obtaining a product which comprises graphene and product obtained
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 GRAPHENEA SEMICON S L U
  • EP4606766A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4606766A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4606766A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A process for obtaining a product which comprises graphene, the process comprising: providing a layered structure which across a cross section of the same comprises stacked, in the same order, a rigid substrate, an adhesive polymer layer, graphene and a copper layer attached to a surface of the graphene; removing the copper layer, thereby exposing the surface of the graphene; treating the exposed surface of the graphene with an adhesion promoter and an amine containing chemical compound. Also, a product comprising graphene and obtained by the process.