Formation of three-dimensional graphene structures by controlled thermal activation of polymeric shape memory substrates

This thesis details methodologies for a single-step approach to realise heterogeneous, three-dimensional (3D) texturing of graphene and graphite by using thermally-activated shape-memory polymers as the underlying substrate and the material characterizations thereof. Uniform, large area arrays of textured 3D graphene crumple features can be created on the centimeter scale by controlling simple processing parameters without compromising graphene’s superior mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. In addition, the capability to deterministically pattern graphene and graphite crumples in a spatially selective manner from otherwise flat graphene/graphite is achieved via infrared activation, which has not been previously possible with other methods such as relaxation of mechanically pre-strained elastomers, contraction of solvent swollen hydrogels, or thermal expansion mismatch between the surface film and substrate. The proposed methods will enable facile large-scale topographical and strain engineering of not only graphene and graphite but also other low-dimensional, thin-film and 2D materials such as transitional metal dichalcogenides and furthermore provide a pathway to realizing 3D all carbon-based devices and sensors.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Cai Mike

Contributors dc:contributor

• Nam, SungWoo

• graphene
• graphite
• shape memory polymer
• polystyrene
• Shrinky-Dinks
• graphene-polymer composites
• strain engineering
• 2D nano-materials
• low dimensional nano-materials
• atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• Raman spectroscopy
• surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
• near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM)
• plasmonics
• graphene devices
• flexible devices
• bio-sensors
• cell morphology
• cell registry
• Infrared (IR)
• thermal treatment
• chemical vapour deposition (CVD)
• graphene synthesis
• graphene transfer
• crumples
• corrugations
• wrinkles
• folds
• buckles
• ripples
• surface relief grating
• lithography-free patterning
• soft materials

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Cai Mike Wang

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50419

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/50419