Stitching and Healing Graphene Flakes by Atomic-Layer-Deposition for Roll-to-Roll Printing of Transparent Conducting Electrodes

这项拨款支持开发一种基于纳米技术的透明导电电极的新方法。利用单层或多层石墨烯优异的导电性和透明度，研究重点是纳米制造的关键挑战，即如何将小石墨烯片电连接以形成大面积连续导体。原子层沉积（ALD）将用于提供超薄导电层，将石墨烯片缝合或粘合在一起，重点是在石墨烯片的边缘和石墨烯片的缺陷处选择性沉积成核。工作将包括用石墨烯墨水连续、卷对卷地印刷电子产品，并对石墨烯表面的缺陷进行建模，以确定选择性沉积过程。在纳米和微尺度上的材料分布、电导率和光学透明度之间的权衡将作为原型放大的指导方针，并评估制造可行性。这项研究将为基于低成本石墨烯材料和可扩展制造工艺的新型透明电极制造技术提供原型演示。该项目将在表面化学、纳米制造、纳米尺度材料传输和光电子学方面创造新的知识。它将强调缺陷管理在将纳米科学推向市场中的关键作用。它将在纳米技术领域产生广泛的技术影响，如显示器、太阳能电池和柔性电子产品。研究活动和其他纳米制造故事？将作为开发新的高级/研究生水平课程的基础。

This grant supports the development of a new approach to nanotechnology-based transparent conducting electrodes. Exploiting the exceptional electrical conductivity and transparency of single or few-layer graphene, the research focuses on a key nanomanufacturing challenge, which is how to electrically connect small graphene flakes to form a large area continuous conductor. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) will be employed to provide ultrathin conducting layers that stitch or glue the graphene flakes together, with emphasis on selective deposition nucleated at edges of the flakes and on defect sites within the graphene flakes. Work will include continuous, roll-to-roll printing of electronics with graphene ink, and model defects on graphene surfaces to identify selective deposition processes. Tradeoffs between material distribution on the nano- and micro-scales, electrical conductivity, and optical transparency will serve as guidelines for prototype scale-up, and to assess manufacturing viability.This research will provide prototype demonstration of a novel manufacturing technology for transparent electrodes based on low-cost graphene materials and scalable fabrication processes. The project will create new knowledge in surface chemistry, nanofabrication, nano-scale material transport and optoelectronics. It will underscore the critical role of defect management in moving nanoscience to the marketplace. It will have broad technological impact in areas of nanotechnology, such as displays, solar cells, and flexible electronics. Research activities and other nanomanufacturing ?stories? will be used as the basis for development of a new senior/graduate level course.