Knowledge Why is Graphene Grown on Copper? 5 Key Reasons Explained
Author avatar

Tech Team · Kintek Solution

Updated 2 months ago

Why is Graphene Grown on Copper? 5 Key Reasons Explained

Graphene is grown on copper primarily due to copper's low carbon solubility, which facilitates a surface-based growth mechanism that results in high-quality, large-area graphene sheets.

This method is particularly effective in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, where copper acts as a catalyst and substrate.

Why is Graphene Grown on Copper? 5 Key Reasons Explained

Why is Graphene Grown on Copper? 5 Key Reasons Explained

1. Low Carbon Solubility of Copper

Copper has a low carbon solubility compared to other transition metals like nickel.

This property is crucial because it allows for a surface-based growth mechanism of graphene.

In CVD processes, when copper is exposed to gaseous hydrocarbons at high temperatures, the carbon atoms from the hydrocarbons do not readily dissolve into the copper but instead form graphene layers on the surface.

This leads to the formation of graphene directly on the copper surface without significant incorporation into the metal substrate.

2. Surface Growth Mechanism

The surface growth mechanism on copper is advantageous because it typically results in fewer defects and higher quality graphene.

Since the graphene forms directly on the surface, it is less likely to be affected by impurities or defects that might arise from interactions with the bulk metal.

This is in contrast to nickel, which has a high carbon solubility and leads to a mechanism where carbon diffuses into the bulk metal and then precipitates out as graphene during cooling, often resulting in multilayer graphene with more defects.

3. Large-Area Graphene Production

Copper substrates are also favored because they allow for the production of large-area graphene sheets.

The use of copper enclosures as substrates provides a large deposition site for graphene.

Through careful control of the CVD process parameters, such as temperature and pressure, researchers have been able to grow single-crystal graphene sheets with sizes up to 2 mm.

This scalability is important for practical applications, particularly in electronics and photonics, where large, uniform graphene films are required.

4. Reduced Transfer Challenges

Growing graphene directly on copper can also mitigate some of the challenges associated with transferring graphene from the growth substrate to other substrates for device fabrication.

Direct growth on copper can be advantageous for applications where the copper can remain as part of the final device structure.

This reduces the need for transfer and potentially improves the overall device performance and reliability.

5. Enhanced Surface Treatment

Researchers have also developed techniques to further enhance the quality of graphene grown on copper by treating the copper substrate before the CVD process.

This can involve chemical treatments that reduce catalytic activity, increase the grain size of the copper, and modify the surface morphology to facilitate the growth of graphene with fewer imperfections.

Continue exploring, consult our experts

Discover the cutting-edge advantages of KINTEK SOLUTION's graphene on copper substrates for your research and industry needs!

With our precise CVD processes, we leverage copper's exceptional low carbon solubility for unparalleled surface-based growth, resulting in high-quality, defect-free graphene sheets.

Don't miss out on our large-area graphene production capabilities and reduced transfer challenges for seamless integration into your applications.

Elevate your graphene research with KINTEK SOLUTION today!

Related Products

Electron Beam Evaporation Graphite Crucible

Electron Beam Evaporation Graphite Crucible

A technology mainly used in the field of power electronics. It is a graphite film made of carbon source material by material deposition using electron beam technology.

Electron Beam Evaporation Coating Oxygen-Free Copper Crucible

Electron Beam Evaporation Coating Oxygen-Free Copper Crucible

Electron Beam Evaporation Coating Oxygen-Free Copper Crucible enables precise co-deposition of various materials. Its controlled temperature and water-cooled design ensure pure and efficient thin film deposition.

Copper foam

Copper foam

Copper foam has good thermal conductivity and can be widely used for heat conduction and heat dissipation of motors/electrical appliances and electronic components.

Graphite evaporation crucible

Graphite evaporation crucible

Vessels for high temperature applications, where materials are kept at extremely high temperatures to evaporate, allowing thin films to be deposited on substrates.

Electron Gun Beam Crucible

Electron Gun Beam Crucible

In the context of electron gun beam evaporation, a crucible is a container or source holder used to contain and evaporate the material to be deposited onto a substrate.

Cylindrical Resonator MPCVD Diamond Machine for lab diamond growth

Cylindrical Resonator MPCVD Diamond Machine for lab diamond growth

Learn about Cylindrical Resonator MPCVD Machine, the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition method used for growing diamond gemstones and films in the jewelry and semi-conductor industries. Discover its cost-effective advantages over traditional HPHT methods.

High Purity Carbon (C) Sputtering Target / Powder / Wire / Block / Granule

High Purity Carbon (C) Sputtering Target / Powder / Wire / Block / Granule

Looking for affordable Carbon (C) materials for your laboratory needs? Look no further! Our expertly produced and tailored materials come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and purities. Choose from sputtering targets, coating materials, powders, and more.

Drawing die nano-diamond coating HFCVD Equipment

Drawing die nano-diamond coating HFCVD Equipment

The nano-diamond composite coating drawing die uses cemented carbide (WC-Co) as the substrate, and uses the chemical vapor phase method ( CVD method for short ) to coat the conventional diamond and nano-diamond composite coating on the surface of the inner hole of the mold.

High Thermal Conductivity Film Graphitization Furnace

High Thermal Conductivity Film Graphitization Furnace

The high thermal conductivity film graphitization furnace has uniform temperature, low energy consumption and can operate continuously.

Carbon Graphite Boat -Laboratory Tube Furnace with Cover

Carbon Graphite Boat -Laboratory Tube Furnace with Cover

Covered Carbon Graphite Boat Laboratory Tube Furnaces are specialized vessels or vessels made of graphite material designed to withstand extreme high temperatures and chemically aggressive environments.

CVD Diamond coating

CVD Diamond coating

CVD Diamond Coating: Superior Thermal Conductivity, Crystal Quality, and Adhesion for Cutting Tools, Friction, and Acoustic Applications

CVD boron doped diamond

CVD boron doped diamond

CVD boron-doped diamond: A versatile material enabling tailored electrical conductivity, optical transparency, and exceptional thermal properties for applications in electronics, optics, sensing, and quantum technologies.


Leave Your Message