Master Thesis: Wood-Derived Laser-Induced Graphene: Effect of Energy Flow on Material Quality

Background
Graphene is a remarkable one-atom-thick lattice of carbon atoms, celebrated for its exceptional strength, conductivity, transparency, flexibility, and impermeability. Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) is an innovative production method that transforms various carbon-containing materials, such as polymers or wood, into graphene. It involves coating the target material with a common polymer and subjecting it to a powerful laser. The laser's energy heats the material, causing the carbon atoms to rearrange into a graphene structure. Simultaneously, the polymer is removed, leaving behind high-quality graphene. LIG is cost-effective and scalable, offering potential applications in energy storage, flexible electronics, sensors, and water purification, thanks to graphene's exceptional properties and the ease of production. In recent work from RISE and the Digital Cellulose Center, LIG was combined with printed electronics and the use of wood-materials as the precursor to obtain bio-based graphene devices.

Research topics
There are many processing parameters in LIG that will affect the obtained material. In this master thesis work, the focus will be on how the laser energy input and heat dissipation in the precursor and substrate correlates with graphene quality. Through literature studies and experimental work, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the role of parameters such as laser wavelength, power, and pulse frequency, in order to further improve the graphene production. The majority of the work will be performed at the Printed Electronics Arena in Norrköping.

Project activities

1. Literature survey on laser induced graphitization.
2. Learn to prepare the wood-based precursor material. This involves the mixing of an ink. followed by printing/coating of the ink onto different substrates.
3. Learn the process of laser-induced graphitization using an industrial CO2 laser.
4. Make an experimental plan where processing parameters such as laser wavelength, power, scan speed, focus, and pulse frequency are varied in a systematic way. The quality of the obtained graphene will be evaluated by conductivity measurements and Raman spectroscopy (to determine crystal structure).
5. Different substrates with varying thermal conductivity will be used to determine the effect of heat dissipation (i.e. how quickly the energy moves away during lasing). This will involve measurements of thermal conductivity.
6. The results are used to make a model of how the input and output of energy affect thegraphene formation.
7. Report writing and presentation.

Student Profile
The student should preferably have a background in material science, chemistry, or physics.

Location and start date
Start in January 2024. RISE Digital Systems are located at Södra Grytsgatan 7 in Norrköping.

Supervisory team at RISE
Main supervisor: Jesper Edberg, +46 10 228 41 12.

Welcome with your application!
If this sounds interesting and you match the requirements please send in your application as soon as possible, by December 21st, 2023 at the latest. Applications should include (1) a brief personal letter, (2) a CV, and (3) a recent grade transcript. Suitable applicants will be interviewed as applications are received. To know more, please contact Jesper Edberg, +46 10 228 41 12.

Biobased materials, graphene, material design, material characterization, carbonization