Kyushu University’s researchers unveil UV-sensitive tape, simplifying the process of sticking down 2D materials like graphene.
The newly designed UV tape is able to transfer 2D materials. Poultry Ventilation
Ago Lab, Kyushu University
In collaboration with Nitto Denko, researchers at Kyushu University have unveiled a UV-sensitive tape capable of effortlessly transferring two-dimensional (2D) materials like Graphene. This development promises to streamline the integration of ultra-thin materials into a myriad of applications, from electronics to medical devices.
The significance of 2D materials, composed of atoms in thickness, cannot be overstated. These materials, including Graphene, hold immense potential in various industries, such as biosensing, aeronautics, and electronics.
However, the stumbling block to their commercialization lies in the intricate and delicate process of transferring these materials from their production environment to the target devices. Although they are readily available, they are a hassle to transfer.
Lead author Professor Hiroki Ago explains the challenges: “Transferring 2D materials is typically a very technical and complex process; the material can easily tear or become contaminated, significantly degrading its unique properties.”
Enter the innovative solution – UV tape. Here is where Graphene comes in. The thin sheet of carbon atoms has been a focal point for the research team. The conventional method involves a complicated process where a protective polymer detaches Graphene from a copper substrate and then transfers it onto an insulating substrate. Apart from being costly and time-consuming, this method can introduce defects or leave traces of the polymer on the Graphene’s surface.
To overcome these hurdles, Professor Ago and his team turned to artificial intelligence to design a specialized polymer tape named “UV tape.” Exposing the tape to UV light can manipulate its adhesive strength to Graphene. Before exposure, the tape adheres strongly to the material, but after UV exposure, the adhesion decreases, allowing for easy peeling without causing damage.
The versatility of the UV tape extends beyond Graphene, successfully transferring other 2D materials like white Graphene (hBN) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Impressively, the transferred materials exhibited smoother surfaces with fewer defects than conventional methods, and their properties were more efficient.
Beyond the technical advantages, UV tape introduces flexibility to the transfer process. Its pliability and the elimination of plastic-dissolving solvents mean that flexible plastics can be used as substrates, expanding the range of potential applications.
Notably, the team created a plastic device utilizing Graphene as a terahertz sensor, showcasing its promise for medical imaging and airport security.
The UV tape’s precision-cutting capabilities minimize waste and reduce costs, allowing the transfer of exact amounts of 2D material needed for a particular application. Moreover, stacking 2D layers of different materials in various orientations opens the door to exploring new emergent properties.
Looking forward, the researchers aim to scale up the production of UV tape for commercial use. Overcoming challenges such as wrinkles and bubbles on the tape is on the agenda. The team also envisions improving stability, ensuring that 2D materials can be attached to UV tapes for extended periods, and facilitating distribution to end-users without compromising quality.
Professor Ago emphasizes the user-friendly nature of the UV tape transfer process: “The end users can then transfer the material onto their desired substrate by applying and removing the UV tape like a child’s sticker, with no training needed.
Such an easy method could fundamentally change the research style and accelerate the commercial development of 2D materials.” The future seems to be sticking and peeling away from complexity and towards simplicity and accessibility. Their findings were published in Nature Electronics.
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