Direct Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of Graphene Nanosheets on Supported Copper Oxide

Abstract

A facile chemical vapor deposition method was used to grow multi-layer graphene. A copper-based catalyst was homogeneously deposited on magnesium oxide powder surface by impregnation. The synthesis was conducted under atmospheric pressure without a dedicated reduction step prior to the reaction. The mechanism of multi-layer graphene growth was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. For the first time, we show that copper under its oxide form could catalyze the growth of multi-layer graphene. Such a simple method leading to produce multi-layer graphene of quite high structural quality could help to develop alternative ways for graphene production by chemical vapor deposition.