CVD synthesis of mono- and few-layer graphene using alcohols at low hydrogen concentration and atmospheric pressure

An original and easy route to produce mono-, bi- and tri-layer graphene is proposed using the chemical vapor deposition technique. The synthesis is carried out at atmospheric pressure using liquid precursors, copper as catalyst, and a single gas injection line consisting of a very diluted mixture of H2 in Argon (H2: 5%). Two different alcohols are investigated as possible sources of carbon: 2-phenylethanol and ethanol. The characterization of the samples with SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of graphene on top of copper, and yields a detailed picture of the structure of the produced graphene layers.