Published on 20 May 2014. Downloaded by TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN on 09/01/2015 13:37:01.
Introduction
Manufacturing large-area graphene thin lms is an important step towards the
commercialization of graphene based technologies. The inkjet printing of gra-
phene is one method for the controlled deposition of large-area transparent or
non-transparent conductive lms.1–6 In comparison with other approaches such
as chemical vapor deposition (CVD),7,8 inkjet printing is a poor competitor. This
holds true especially for transparent graphene thin lms,1,2 where high conduc-
tivity and high transparency, together with precise control over the number of
layers and defect density is required. Nevertheless, the printing of graphene has a
very high potential for applications, where non-transparent but highly conductive
patterns are required.9 Examples of such low-end, high-volume applications could
be radio frequency identication tags (RFID tags), electromagnetic shielding, or
devices where graphene printing of conductive patterns can be effectively utilized.
Graphene inks made from graphite have the potential to revolutionize the eld of
printed conductors by replacing metallic inks while at the same time reducing
biological hazards and production costs.