New technique from Oxford University produces high-quality sheets of graphene

Isis Innovation said the researchers had solved a “major barrier” to the development of the material – making it available in commercial-scale sheets of repeatable and uniform quality.

The invention, which is in the patent application process, permits the manufacture of commercial scale graphene sheets using a transition metal substrate combined with an intermediate silicon containing liquid film.

Graphene sheets are made using chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Large, high-quality graphene flakes are produced. Synthesis times are reduced by 50 times, Isis claimed, adding that it was looking for commercial partners.

“We are pursuing research into graphene and other important tailored nanomaterials with end use applications very much in mind, and in close collaboration with SMEs and internationally leading industry partners,” said Prof Nicole Grobert, head of the nanomaterials by design team at Oxford Materials.

“I believe this approach is the fastest way for commercial adoption of the new materials and more specifically nanomaterials, such as graphene.