Cutting graphene using an atomic force microscope based nanorobot

Rapid progress in graphene-based applications is calling for an inexpensive technique for creating mass graphene components with specialized shapes, sizes, and edge structures. In this paper, an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based mechanical cutting method is developed to approach this goal, through which we are able to structure trenches into multilayer graphene flakes with different directions, and generate different graphene shapes: graphene nanoribbons and triangles. Combining parallel multi-tip technology, this method makes it possible to fabricate large-scale graphene-based device at low cost and high efficiency. This research also reveals that the cutting force of graphene varies with different cutting directions, based on which a close-loop fabrication method with interaction force as real-time feedback may be developed for tailoring graphene into desired edge structures and shapes in a controllable high-precise way.