Ultrafast growth of nanocrystalline graphene films by quenching and grain-size-dependent strength and bandgap opening

Abstract

Nano-crystallization is essential to tune different properties of materials. Here, the authors report a synthesis strategy that involves quenching of a hot metal foil for few seconds in liquid carbon source to form graphene films of 3.6 nm grain size, showing mechanical strength of 101 GPa and semiconducting behaviour.