Large-area ultrathin films of reduced graphene oxide as a transparent and flexible electronic material

Nat Nanotechnol. 2008 May;3(5):270-4. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2008.83. Epub 2008 Apr 6.

Abstract

The integration of novel materials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanowires into devices has been challenging, but developments in transfer printing and solution-based methods now allow these materials to be incorporated into large-area electronics. Similar efforts are now being devoted to making the integration of graphene into devices technologically feasible. Here, we report a solution-based method that allows uniform and controllable deposition of reduced graphene oxide thin films with thicknesses ranging from a single monolayer to several layers over large areas. The opto-electronic properties can thus be tuned over several orders of magnitude, making them potentially useful for flexible and transparent semiconductors or semi-metals. The thinnest films exhibit graphene-like ambipolar transistor characteristics, whereas thicker films behave as graphite-like semi-metals. Collectively, our deposition method could represent a route for translating the interesting fundamental properties of graphene into technologically viable devices.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Electronics / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Miniaturization
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Semiconductors*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Oxides
  • Carbon