Graphene and its potential applications in electronics packaging - A review

Graphene, the flat, two-dimensional (2D) monolayer of carbon atoms theoretically can be considered as the basic building block for all other graphitic materials with different dimensionalities. It can be wrapped up into 0D fullerene, rolled into 1D nanotube or stacked into 3D graphite. Integrating graphene components with silicon-based electronics allows substantial performance improvements, thus it has the potential to make a profound impact in information and communication technology (ICT) in the short and long terms. The 2D crystal of graphene has special properties, which are superior to those of other materials, thus graphene can reckon on diverse applications in electronics packaging. For example, the mechanical flexibility and chemical durability of graphene are very high, thus its application for touch-screen devices would prove far more long-lasting and would open the door for flexible devices. The mechanical, chemical, electronic and barrier properties of graphene make it attractive for applications in composite materials by bringing extra functionality to them. Graphene-based paints can be used for conductive ink, antistatic, EMI shielding; and low-cost ink-jet printing could be used for layer deposition and patterning. In the paper those devices will be reviewed, which are estimated to be on the market within three to five years.