Phuong V. Pham

By Viet Phuong Pham

Graphene has recently been attracting considerable interest because of its exceptional conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, etc. Graphene-based devices exhibit high potential for applications in flexible electronics, optoelectronics, and energy harvesting. In this paper, we review various growth strategies including metal-catalyzed transfer-free growth and direct-growth of graphene on flexible insulating substrates which are “major issues” for avoiding the complicated transfer process that cause graphene defects, residues, tears and performance degradation of its functional devices. Recent advances in practical applications based on “direct-grown graphene” are discussed. Finally, several important directions, challenges and perspectives in the commercialization of ‘direct growth of graphene’ are also discussed and addressed.

Part of the book: Flexible Electronics

By Phuong V. Pham

Recently, graphene has gained significant interest owing to its outstanding conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, etc. Among various graphene synthesis methods, atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) is one of the best syntheses due to very low diffusivity coefficient and a critical step for graphene-based device fabrication. High-temperature APCVD processes for thin film productions are being recognized in many diversity technologies such as solid state electronic devices, in particular, high quality epitaxial semiconductor films for silicon bipolar and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors. Graphene-based devices exhibit high potential for applications in flexible electronics, optoelectronics, and energy harvesting. In this chapter, recent advances of APCVD-based graphene synthesis and their related applications will be addressed.

Part of the book: Chemical Vapor Deposition for Nanotechnology

By Phuong V. Pham

Recently, graphene nanomaterial has drawn great interest due to its excellent electrical and optoelectrical properties. The etching of graphene based on plasma engineering to achieve atomically thin layer and extremely clean surface is a hot issue, which is highly desirable for industrial applications. The resided contaminants with high intrinsic roughness create the degradation of performance. The impurities are removed via surface cleaning method and layer-by-layer plasma etching via top-down lithography. Recently, new plasma technology-based etching causes no damage and secures its π-binding, which plays a key role in conductivity and other characteristics. Thus, this chapter presents the recent advances in new etching technologies for nanomaterials (e.g., graphene) as well as emerging applications based on these technologies.

Part of the book: 21st Century Surface Science

By Muhammad Aamir Iqbal, Maria Malik, Wajeehah Shahid, Waqas Ahmad, Kossi A. A. Min-Dianey and Phuong V. Pham

Plasmonics is a technologically advanced term in condensed matter physics that describes surface plasmon resonance where surface plasmons are collective electron oscillations confined at the dielectric-metal interface and these collective excitations exhibit profound plasmonic properties in conjunction with light interaction. Surface plasmons are based on nanomaterials and their structures; therefore, semiconductors, metals, and two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials exhibit distinct plasmonic effects due to unique confinements. Recent technical breakthroughs in characterization and material manufacturing of two-dimensional ultra-thin materials have piqued the interest of the materials industry because of their extraordinary plasmonic enhanced characteristics. The 2D plasmonic materials have great potential for photonic and optoelectronic device applications owing to their ultra-thin and strong light-emission characteristics, such as; photovoltaics, transparent electrodes, and photodetectors. Also, the light-driven reactions of 2D plasmonic materials are environmentally benign and climate-friendly for future energy generations which makes them extremely appealing for energy applications. This chapter is aimed to cover recent advances in plasmonic 2D materials (graphene, graphene oxides, hexagonal boron nitride, pnictogens, MXenes, metal oxides, and non-metals) as well as their potential for applied applications, and is divided into several sections to elaborate recent theoretical and experimental developments along with potential in photonics and energy storage industries.

Part of the book: 21st Century Nanostructured Materials