Graphene is a novel two-dimensional material which combines various electrical, mechanical, and optical properties such as high field-effect mobility, high mechanical strength and high transparency. Using chemical vapor deposition methods, graphene films can be produced in large quantities suitable for industrial applications. However, the performance metrics of synthetic graphene films are typically lower than exfoliated graphene films. In this project various methods to improve the performance metrics of graphene devices are explored.
High performance graphene devices can be useful to develop various sensing applications such as biosensing applications. A device architecture consisting of free-standing graphene films was extensively explored during this project, facilitating the observation of enhanced field-effect mobility in graphene devices. In addition, methods to study intrinsic strain and defect density in graphene films was explored.