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Visualizing fast growth of large single-crystalline graphene by tunable isotopic carbon source

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Abstract

The fast growth of large single-crystalline graphene by chemical vapor deposition on Cu foil remains a challenge for industrial-scale applications. To achieve the fast growth of large single-crystalline graphene, understanding the detailed dynamics governing the entire growth process—including nucleation, growth, and coalescence—is important; however, these remain unexplored. In this study, by using a pulsed carbon isotope labeling technique in conjunction with micro-Raman spectroscopy identification, we visualized the growth dynamics, such as nucleation, growth, and coalescence, during the fast growth of large single-crystalline graphene domains. By tuning the supply of the carbon source, a growth rate of 320 μm/min and the growth of centimeter-sized graphene single crystals were achieved on Cu foil.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Nos. 2013CB932603, 2012CB933404 and 2014CB932500), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51432002, 51520105003, and 21525310), National Program for Support of Top-Notch Young Professionals, and Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (No. Z161100002116002).

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Correspondence to Hailin Peng or Zhongfan Liu.

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Sun, L., Lin, L., Zhang, J. et al. Visualizing fast growth of large single-crystalline graphene by tunable isotopic carbon source. Nano Res. 10, 355–363 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-016-1297-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-016-1297-1

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