Mesh-reinforced Vaseline-assisted graphene transfer compatible with industrial automation operations

Abstract The growth of graphene on Cu via chemical vapor deposition has been well established for producing large-area high-quality graphene films, with graphene transfer to other substrate as an essential step for its applications. Various transfer techniques have been studied, but real industrial automation operations have seldom been developed. We report a mesh-reinforced Vaseline-assisted transfer method, which utilizes a mesh embedded Vaseline structure, similar to reinforced concrete, as a carrier film for graphene transfer. Vaseline acts as an adhesive layer that preserves graphene’s integrity and can be easily removed, while the mesh reinforcement ensures the structure self-support and therefore easy processing, compatible with industrial automation operations. Successful graphene transfers onto SiO₂/Si wafers and curved surfaces with good integrity and cleanliness are demonstrated and an automated graphene transfer production line is also presented, highlighting the potential for mass production and applicability to other two-dimensional materials and thin films as well.