title: Synthesis of flake-like graphene from nickel-coated polyacrylonitrile polymer.
abstract: Graphene can be synthesized from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer through pyrolysis. A metal catalyst such as nickel (Ni) is required for the conversion of the polymer to graphene. The metal catalysts can be placed either atop or underneath the polymer precursor. We observed that spatially non-uniform and disconnected graphene was fabricated when PAN film coated with a Ni layer was pyrolyzed, resulting in flake-like graphene. Formation of the flake-like graphene is attributed to the dewetting of the Ni layer coated on the PAN film. Dewetting phenomenon can be reduced by decreasing the pyrolysis temperature, and hence, more uniform graphene could be prepared. The effects of Ni coating thickness and the pyrolysis temperature on the fabricated graphene have been experimentally analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea ; Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 29 Geumgu-gil, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do 580-185, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Je
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Mok
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ghafar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Oh
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Graphene; Graphene flake; Nickel; Polyacrylonitrile; Pyrolysis