Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

One-step laser induced conversion of a gelatin-coated polyimide film into graphene: Tunable morphology, surface wettability and microsupercapacitor applications

  • Article
  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Latest advances have witnessed the laser induction process on polyimide (PI) films for the formation of porous graphene. Herein, a fully converted graphene film was prepared by Nd:YAG laser scribing a gelatin coated PI film. It was found that the gelatin played the role of “shield” well in absorbing intense laser impact and benefit for the surface morphology modulation. Laser treatment lower than a critical fluence point of ~4.00 J mm−2 contributed to a crater-like surface morphology due to the dispersed nature of Nd:YAG laser beam. By tuning laser fluence above the threshold, carbonized surface turned into continuous morphology. A fluid dynamics process accompanied by outgassing occurred during the carbonization, and the surface morphology gradually varied from stretched droplets to porous strips and finally to amorphous porous structures. The morphology evolution in combination with surface chemistry is responsible for the significant wettability transition from superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic, and a Janus superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic surface wettability was achieved under a laser fluence of ~8.00 J mm−2. Eventually, microsupercapacitors (MSCs) were fabricated to show the great potential of our prepared graphene in flexible electronics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. De Volder M F L, Tawfick S H, Baughman R H, et al. Carbon nanotubes: Present and future commercial applications. Science, 2013, 339: 535–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Xing D, Lu L, Teh K S, et al. Highly flexible and ultra-thin Ni-plated carbon-fabric/polycarbonate film for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding. Carbon, 2018, 132: 32–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Zang X, Shen C, Kao E, et al. Titanium disulfide coated carbon nanotube hybrid electrodes enable high energy density symmetric pseudocapacitors. Adv Mater, 2018, 30: 1704754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mei X, Lu L, Xie Y, et al. An ultra-thin carbon-fabric/graphene/poly (vinylidene fluoride) film for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding. Nanoscale, 2019, 11: 13587–13599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Allen M J, Tung V C, Kaner R B. Honeycomb carbon: A review of graphene. Chem Rev, 2010, 110: 132–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhu J, Yang D, Yin Z, et al. Graphene and graphene-based materials for energy storage applications. Small, 2014, 10: 3480–3498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang Y, Zhang L, Zhou C. Review of chemical vapor deposition of graphene and related applications. Acc Chem Res, 2013, 46: 2329–2339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Choi W, Lahiri I, Seelaboyina R, et al. Synthesis of graphene and its applications: a review. Critical Rev Solid State Mater Sci, 2010, 35: 52–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Li K, Xie Y, Liang L, et al. Wetting behavior investigation of a complex surface prepared by laser processing combined with carbon films coating. Surf Coatings Tech, 2019, 378: 124989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Li K, Yao W, Xie Y, et al. A strongly hydrophobic and serum-repelling surface composed of CrN films deposited on laser-patterned microstructures that was optimized with an orthogonal experiment. Surf Coatings Tech, 2020, 391: 125708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Inagaki M, Ohta N, Hishiyama Y. Aromatic polyimides as carbon precursors. Carbon, 2013, 61: 1–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bhaumik A, Narayan J. Conversion of p to n-type reduced graphene oxide by laser annealing at room temperature and pressure. J Appl Phys, 2017, 121: 125303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Luo S, Hoang P T, Liu T. Direct laser writing for creating porous graphitic structures and their use for flexible and highly sensitive sensor and sensor arrays. Carbon, 2016, 96: 522–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang Y L, Guo L, Xia H, et al. Photoreduction of graphene oxides: Methods, properties, and applications. Adv Opt Mater, 2014, 2: 10–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Sokolov D A, Rouleau C M, Geohegan D B, et al. Excimer laser reduction and patterning of graphite oxide. Carbon, 2013, 53: 81–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Jiang L, Fan Z. Design of advanced porous graphene materials: from graphene nanomesh to 3D architectures. Nanoscale, 2014, 6: 1922–1945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lin J, Peng Z, Liu Y, et al. Laser-induced porous graphene films from commercial polymers. Nat Commun, 2014, 5: 5714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Duy L X, Peng Z, Li Y, et al. Laser-induced graphene fibers. Carbon, 2018, 126: 472–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Wan Z, Streed E W, Lobino M, et al. Laser-reduced graphene: Synthesis, properties, and applications. Adv Mater Technol, 2018, 3: 1700315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Ye R, James D K, Tour J M. Laser-induced graphene. Acc Chem Res, 2018, 51: 1609–1620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Ye R, James D K, Tour J M. Laser-induced graphene: From discovery to translation. Adv Mater, 2019, 31: 1803621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ye R, Chyan Y, Zhang J, et al. Laser-induced graphene formation on wood. Adv Mater, 2017, 29: 1702211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chyan Y, Ye R, Li Y, et al. Laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing: Toward electronics on cloth, paper, and food. ACS Nano, 2018, 12: 2176–2183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Trusovas R, Ratautas K, Račiukaitis G, et al. Graphene layer formation in pinewood by nanosecond and picosecond laser irradiation. Appl Surf Sci, 2019, 471: 154–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ruan X, Wang R, Luo J, et al. Experimental and modeling study of CO2 laser writing induced polyimide carbonization process. Mater Des, 2018, 160: 1168–1177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Koren G, Yeh J T C. Emission spectra, surface quality, and mechanism of excimer laser etching of polyimide films. Appl Phys Lett, 1984, 44: 1112–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kang W S, Hur M, Lee J O, et al. Controlling hydrophilicity of polymer film by altering gas flow rate in atmospheric-pressure homogeneous plasma. Appl Surf Sci, 2014, 295: 198–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Least B T, Willis D A. Modification of polyimide wetting properties by laser ablated conical microstructures. Appl Surf Sci, 2013, 273: 1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kang W S, Hur M, Lee J O, et al. Controlling hydrophilicity of polymer film by altering gas flow rate in atmospheric-pressure homogeneous plasma. Appl Surf Sci, 2014, 295: 198–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Du Q, Ai J, Qin Z, et al. Fabrication of superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic patterns on polyimide surface by ultraviolet laser direct texturing. J Mater Processing Tech, 2018, 251: 188–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. He L, Chen J, Farson D F, et al. Wettability modification of electro-spun poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers by femtosecond laser irradiation in different gas atmospheres. Appl Surf Sci, 2011, 257: 3547–3553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Du Q, Liu J, Guo L, et al. Tailoring the surface wettability of polyimide by UV laser direct texturing in different gas atmospheres. Mater Des, 2016, 104: 134–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Li Y, Luong D X, Zhang J, et al. Laser-induced graphene in controlled atmospheres: From superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic surfaces. Adv Mater, 2017, 29: 1700496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Arnold N, Bityurin N. Model for laser-induced thermal degradation and ablation of polymers. Appl Phys A-Mater Sci Processing, 1999, 68: 615–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Bityurin N, Malyshev A. Bulk photothermal model for laser ablation of polymers by nanosecond and subpicosecond pulses. J Appl Phys, 2002, 92: 605–613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Bityurin N, Luk’yanchuk B S, Hong M H, et al. Models for laser ablation of polymers. Chem Rev, 2003, 103: 519–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Liu H, Tang Y, Xie Y, et al. Effect of pulsed Nd:YAG laser processing parameters on surface properties of polyimide films. Surf Coatings Tech, 2019, 361: 102–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Li G, Law W C, Chan K C. Floating, highly efficient, and scalable graphene membranes for seawater desalination using solar energy. Green Chem, 2018, 20: 3689–3695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Tiliakos A, Ceaus C, Iordache S M, et al. Morphic transitions of nanocarbons via laser pyrolysis of polyimide films. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis, 2016, 121: 275–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Inagaki M, Harada S, Sato T, et al. Carbonization of polyimide film “kapton”. Carbon, 1989, 27: 253–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Menazea A A. Femtosecond laser ablation-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles in organic and inorganic liquids medium and their antibacterial efficiency. Radiat Phys Chem, 2020, 168: 108616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. De Giacomo A, De Bonis A, Dell’Aglio M, et al. Laser ablation of graphite in water in a range of pressure from 1 to 146 atm using single and double pulse techniques for the production of carbon nanostructures. J Phys Chem C, 2011, 115: 5123–5130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Zang X, Shen C, Chu Y, et al. Laser-induced molybdenum carbidegraphene composites for 3D foldable paper electronics. Adv Mater, 2018, 30: 1800062

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Zang X, Chen W, Zou X, et al. Self-assembly of arge-area 2D polycrystalline transition metal carbides for hydrogen electrocatalysis. Adv Mater, 2018, 30: 1805188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Wang W, Lu L, Xie Y, et al. Tailoring the surface morphology and nanoparticle distribution of laser-induced graphene/Co3O4 for high-performance flexible microsupercapacitors. Appl Surf Sci, 2020, 504: 144487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Xu R, Zverev A, Hung A, et al. Kirigami-inspired, highly stretchable micro-supercapacitor patches fabricated by laser conversion and cutting. Microsyst Nanoeng, 2018, 4: 36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Wu J B, Lin M L, Cong X, et al. Raman spectroscopy of graphene-based materials and its applications in related devices. Chem Soc Rev, 2018, 47: 1822–1873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Jackel D, Walter B. Modeling and rendering of the atmosphere using mie-scattering. Comput Graphics Forum, 1997, 16: 201–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Scharfman B E, Techet A H, Bush J W M, et al. Visualization of sneeze ejecta: steps of fluid fragmentation leading to respiratory droplets. Exp Fluids, 2016, 57: 24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Yang X, Choi W T, Liu J, et al. Droplet mechanical hand based on anisotropic water adhesion of hydrophobic-superhydrophobic patterned surfaces. Langmuir, 2019, 35: 935–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Yang X, Breedveld V, Choi W T, et al. Underwater curvature-driven transport between oil droplets on patterned substrates. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2018, 10: 15258–15269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Yang X, Song J, Zheng H, et al. Anisotropic sliding on dual-rail hydrophilic tracks. Lab Chip, 2017, 17: 1041–1050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Guo H, Yeh M H, Lai Y C, et al. All-in-one shape-adaptive self-charging power package for wearable electronics. ACS Nano, 2016, 10: 10580–10588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Wang W, Lu L, Xie Y, et al. A Highly Stretchable micro-supercapacitor using laser-induced graphene/NiO/Co3O4 electrodes on a biodegradable waterborne polyurethane substrate. Adv Mater Technol, 2020, 5: 1900903

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China

    WenTao Wang, LongSheng Lu, YingXi Xie, ZeHong Li & Yong Tang

  2. College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China

    WeiBin Wu & RongXuan Liang

Authors
  1. WenTao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. LongSheng Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. YingXi Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. ZeHong Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. WeiBin Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. RongXuan Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yong Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to LongSheng Lu.

Additional information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51775197), the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2018A050506007), and the Guangzhou Science and Technology Program Project (Grant No. 201704020090).

Supporting Information

The supporting information is available online at tech.scichina.com and link.springer.com. The supporting materials are published as submitted, without typesetting or editing. The responsibility for scientific accuracy and content remains entirely with the authors.

Supporting Information

11431_2020_1609_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

One-step laser induced conversion of a gelatin-coated polyimide film into graphene: Tunable morphology, surface wettability and microsupercapacitor applications

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, W., Lu, L., Xie, Y. et al. One-step laser induced conversion of a gelatin-coated polyimide film into graphene: Tunable morphology, surface wettability and microsupercapacitor applications. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 64, 1030–1040 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-020-1609-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-020-1609-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation