The practical use of graphene in consumer electronics has not been demonstrated since the size, uniformity, and reliability problems are yet to be solved to satisfy industrial standards. Recently, the mass-productive graphene films were synthesized by hydrogen-free rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RT-CVD), roll-to-roll etching, and transfer methods, which enabled faster and larger production of homogeneous graphene film that satisfies industrial standards.1 This has enabled the actual application of the graphene film to capacitive multi-touch devices installed in the most sophisticated mobile phones. More recently, we have developed a roll-to-roll RT-CVD system that can synthesize graphene films continuously on a roll of Cu foils. In this talk, the advantages of using the roll-to-roll process compared to a batch process will be presented, and the remaining challenges will be also discussed.

Despite this, considerable challenges must be overcome to integrate graphene-based transparent electrodes into commercial devices. These include the development of a low-cost, large-scale synthesis method for high-quality graphene with guaranteed uniformity and reproducibility; a defect- and residue-free transfer method that is compatible with conventional device manufacturing processes; doping processes that can assure stable, high electrical conductivity over long periods; a method to improve the environmental stability of graphene electrodes against moisture and chemicals in the air; and a method to decrease the contact resistance between electrodes and active materials.

One issue, in particular, with CVD-grown graphene is that it must be transferred to a perfectly flat surface. Most electronic devices, however, have an interconnected, multilayered structure. Although this is not a problem for indium tin oxide (ITO), as it can be sputtered onto irregularly shaped surfaces, the device architecture needs to be customized for two dimensions when using graphene electrodes. This limits the immediate replacement of ITO by graphene. Because of this, we anticipate that applications to flat and simple structures such as touch screens, smart windows, electromagnetic interference shields, lighting and transparent heater will be the first to be realized, whereas applications to flexible displays and microelectronic devices will follow some years later.

The practical use of graphene in consumer electronics has not been demonstrated since the size, uniformity, and reliability problems are yet to be solved to satisfy industrial standards. Recently, the mass-productive graphene films were synthesized by hydrogen-free rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RT-CVD), roll-to-roll etching, and transfer methods, which enabled faster and larger production of homogeneous graphene film that satisfies industrial standards.1 This has enabled the actual application of the graphene film to capacitive multi-touch devices installed in the most sophisticated mobile phones. More recently, we have developed a roll-to-roll RT-CVD system that can synthesize graphene films continuously on a roll of Cu foils. In this talk, the advantages of using the roll-to-roll process compared to a batch process will be presented, and the remaining challenges will be also discussed.

Despite this, considerable challenges must be overcome to integrate graphene-based transparent electrodes into commercial devices. These include the development of a low-cost, large-scale synthesis method for high-quality graphene with guaranteed uniformity and reproducibility; a defect- and residue-free transfer method that is compatible with conventional device manufacturing processes; doping processes that can assure stable, high electrical conductivity over long periods; a method to improve the environmental stability of graphene electrodes against moisture and chemicals in the air; and a method to decrease the contact resistance between electrodes and active materials.

One issue, in particular, with CVD-grown graphene is that it must be transferred to a perfectly flat surface. Most electronic devices, however, have an interconnected, multilayered structure. Although this is not a problem for indium tin oxide (ITO), as it can be sputtered onto irregularly shaped surfaces, the device architecture needs to be customized for two dimensions when using graphene electrodes. This limits the immediate replacement of ITO by graphene. Because of this, we anticipate that applications to flat and simple structures such as touch screens, smart windows, electromagnetic interference shields, lighting and transparent heater will be the first to be realized, whereas applications to flexible displays and microelectronic devices will follow some years later.