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Fabrication, Comparison, Optimization, and Applications of Conductive Graphene Patterns Induced via CO2 and Diode Lasers

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Abstract

Fabrication of conductive patterns for flexible and printed electronic devices is one of the most challenging steps in the whole process. Conductive patterns in electronic devices are used as electrodes, transducers, connecting links, and sometimes, also as the active sensing elements. Since the introduction of laser induced graphene (LIG), it has been explored to print electrodes and connecting patterns for various electronic devices and systems. This work focuses on an in-house developed laser printing system and the comparison of various electrical, chemical, and morphological properties of the resulting LIG patterns using CO2 and diode lasers. The system parameters including the laser power, relative printing speed, and the printing resolution were explored and optimized to achieve conductive patterns with varying properties suitable for various targeted applications. The fabricated patterns were characterized for their sheet resistance, surface morphology, chemical properties, and physical size and resolution. Continuous conductive patterns with sheet resistance in range of 11.5 Ω/□ to 43 Ω/□ were achieved using CO2 laser with a minimum achievable pattern width of ~ 180 μm while patterns with sheet resistance in range of 19 Ω/□ to 105 Ω/□ were achieved using diode laser with a minimum pattern width of ~ 190 μm. The chemical and morphological properties of CO2 laser-based patterns indicate the formation of 2D graphite sheets with high porosity and low O2 concentration while the diode laser-based patterns have a lower porosity and higher percentage of O2 indicating burning and formation of oxides. Various applications of both types have also been discussed based on their respective properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Swabi, Topi, K.P., 23640, Pakistan

    Memoon Sajid, Faisal Saeed Awan, Mazhar Javed & Zarak Jamal Khattak

  2. COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus, Punjab, Pakistan

    Gohar Hussain

  3. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Swabi, Topi, K.P., Pakistan

    Syed Farhad Shah & Khalid Rahman

  4. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan

    Mohsin Saleem

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  1. Memoon Sajid
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Contributions

Dr. Memoon Sajid supervised the work and contributed in results compilation and manuscript writing. Faisal Saaed, Gohar Hussain, and Farhad performed the experimentation, Mazhar Javed and Zarak Jamal Compiled the results, Mohsin Saleem did the characterizations, and Dr. Khalid Rehman helped in assessment of results and manuscript preparation.

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Correspondence to Memoon Sajid.

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Sajid, M., Awan, F.S., Javed, M. et al. Fabrication, Comparison, Optimization, and Applications of Conductive Graphene Patterns Induced via CO2 and Diode Lasers. Lasers Manuf. Mater. Process. 10, 276–295 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40516-023-00209-6

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