New fabrication method for producing reduced graphene oxide flexible electrodes by using a low-power visible laser diode engraving system

Abstract

The fabrication of bendable electronic devices is being a scientific-technological area of very rapid advance in which new materials and fabrication techniques are being continuously developed. In this kind of devices, the fabrication of flexible conductive electrodes adherent to the substrate is a key factor. Besides, eco-friendliness, low cost and fast production are essential requirements for the successful progress of new technologies.In this work, a novel method for obtaining graphene-based flexible electrodes is presented. Conductive films were obtained by means of visible laser irradiation of graphene oxide layers deposited on polyethylene terephthalate substrates besides selfstanding membranes sandwiched between glass slides. Despite the low power of the laser system, numerical simulations indicate the development of temperatures over 1000 K throughout the irradiated material. The laser-induced spatially confined heating leads to the reduction of the graphene oxide material whereas the glass-based sandwich assembly avoids reoxidation from surrounding air. By scanning and pixelated modes, reduced graphene oxide electrodes, up to 100 µm in thickness, and with resistivity as low as 6×10 -4 Ωm were obtained in an easy and versatile way. Proof-of-concept microsupercapacitors and electrochemical sensors were fabricated with this technique, showing promising performance.

Advanced Graphene-Based Materials for Electrochemical Biomarkers and Protein Detection

“…This method allowed for the obtaining of films with controlled geometry of reduced areas up to hundreds of square centimeters of N-doped rGO materials with high potential for (bio)sensing applications. So, flexible electrodes prepared on flexible polymeric supports with 10 μm thickness and low resistivity (6 × 10 −4 Ω m) were obtained by an innovative laser reduction protocol [76].…”

Laser processing of graphene and related materials for energy storage: State of the art and future prospects

“…Different approaches have been reported for limiting the exposure to oxygen atoms from air during LrGO synthesis, with the intent of avoiding undue combustion. Examples are the laser irradiation of GO under inert/vacuum conditions or its confinement between transparent slices [124,135,136]. On the other hand, there are numerous reports of laser-induced reduction of GO in air without significant carbon loss [127,128].…”

“…Conductive LrGO patterns were separated by non-irradiated GO gaps working as solid electrolytes, due to the porosity and large amount of trapped water imparting ionic conductance to GO. Several research groups have since adopted the laser processing SC based on the LrGO/GO/LrGO architecture, however using different materials, device configurations and laser types [136,[240][241][242][243][244][245][246]. Kaner and co-workers have developed pioneering work on the low-cost production of SCs by performing the laser reduction of GO films using a DVD writing technology.…”

Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Spheres Coated with Graphene Oxide Sheets: From Synthesis to Optical Properties and Their Applications as Flame-Retardant Agents

“…The contribution of this GO in increasing the fire protection was proven for wood materials covered with a layer containing GO, among other components [17]. Moreover, by a high-temperature action of a laser irradiation GO supported on a polymeric substrate, not burning was obtained when this system was placed between two glass sheets [18].…”