CVD Growth and Electrochemical Transfer of Graphene Films
Faculty Mentor Information
David Estrada
Abstract
Graphene— a hexagonal lattice encompassing a single layer of carbon atoms—has made great advancements in electronic devices, flexible electronics, and more recently as an electrically conductive bioscaffold for stem cell growth and differentiation. For this study, chemical vapor deposition(CVD) is used for graphene growth with copper as the metal catalyst. Graphene films, transferred from the metal catalyst to glass slides via chemical or electrochemical techniques, are used as bioscaffolds for the growth and differentiation of C2C12 stem cells. The ability to transfer graphene from the metal catalyst to a substrate of choice is a highly desirable and beneficial property. Traditional transfer techniques demonstrate potential limitations for tissue engineering applications as they require the use of a harmful, highly corrosive copper etchant, iron(III) chloride (Fecl3). Additional concerns are associated with the presence of metal catalyst even after long processing times. An alternative method, based on water electrolysis, electrochemical delamination, provides a transfer method with high efficiency, low cost recyclability, and minimal use of etching chemicals, and has been successfully performed. This project aims to compare the two transfer techniques to determine the optimal transfer method for graphene transfers to establish an ideal environment for C2C12 cell growth and differentiation.
CVD Growth and Electrochemical Transfer of Graphene Films
Graphene— a hexagonal lattice encompassing a single layer of carbon atoms—has made great advancements in electronic devices, flexible electronics, and more recently as an electrically conductive bioscaffold for stem cell growth and differentiation. For this study, chemical vapor deposition(CVD) is used for graphene growth with copper as the metal catalyst. Graphene films, transferred from the metal catalyst to glass slides via chemical or electrochemical techniques, are used as bioscaffolds for the growth and differentiation of C2C12 stem cells. The ability to transfer graphene from the metal catalyst to a substrate of choice is a highly desirable and beneficial property. Traditional transfer techniques demonstrate potential limitations for tissue engineering applications as they require the use of a harmful, highly corrosive copper etchant, iron(III) chloride (Fecl3). Additional concerns are associated with the presence of metal catalyst even after long processing times. An alternative method, based on water electrolysis, electrochemical delamination, provides a transfer method with high efficiency, low cost recyclability, and minimal use of etching chemicals, and has been successfully performed. This project aims to compare the two transfer techniques to determine the optimal transfer method for graphene transfers to establish an ideal environment for C2C12 cell growth and differentiation.