GLADIATOR · Graphene Layers: Production, Characterization and Integration

GLADIATOR (Graphene Layers: Production, Characterization and Integration) will enable the scalable production of cheaper, higher quality and larger area graphene sheets. The project will achieve this by optimizing the performance of CVD graphene (using doping), by increasing the throughput and size of CVD batch reactors, and by improving the process by which graphene is transferred for the CVD catalysts to the application substrate. GLADIATOR directly targets the gobal market for transparent electrodes (estimated to be worth over 11,000 million USD in 2016) and will demonstrate that the performance and price of indium tin oxide can be matched by graphene (transparency > 90%, sheet resistance < 10 Ohm/sq, cost < 30 Eur/ square meter). The new production technologies will be demonstrated by making ultraviolet organic photodiodes (possible application as fire sensors) and large area flexible OLEDs.CVD graphene production will be optimized using new diagnostic and process control instrumentation based on Raman spectroscopy and spectrometric ellipsometry; the quality of graphene layers post-transfer will be assured using new non-contact in-line eddy current measurements and THz imaging. CVD production costs per unit area will be reduced not only by the process parameter optimization, but also by developing methods to re-use the catalysts and by increasing the size of the reactor chamber. The process safety will be addressed, too.A critical issue for graphene, especially as a transparent electrode, is how to achieve homogenous large area coverage. GLADIATOR will extend the size of graphene layers beyond that of the CVD tools by implementing a novel patchwork process using a transfer process with high yields and negligible impact upon the properties of the graphene. Transfer processes will be developed for rigid and flexible substrates appropriate for organic large area electronics (OLAE), and substrate and barrier properties will be optimized for use with graphene.