Laser Processing of Graphene Oxide Films

Laser processing of graphene oxide films harnesses focused light–matter interactions to selectively reduce and pattern oxidised graphene layers without the need for chemical reagents or high‐temperature furnaces. Graphene oxide (GO) comprises exfoliated carbon sheets bearing oxygen‐containing functional groups that disrupt the conjugated sp² network and render the material electrically insulating. By employing lasers of various wavelengths and pulse durations, it is possible to drive photothermal and photochemical pathways that remove oxygen moieties and restore sp² bonding, yielding conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO). This approach offers high spatial resolution down to submicrometre scales, mask‐free patterning and compatibility with flexible substrates. The resultant rGO architectures find applications in flexible electronics, sensors, microsupercapacitors and heater elements. Key process parameters such as laser fluence, pulse duration, wavelength and repetition rate govern local temperature rise, defect formation and morphological evolution, enabling fine control over sheet resistance, porosity and three‐dimensional structuring. Advances in in situ characterisation, multiphoton reduction and hybrid laser–plasma techniques continue to expand the capabilities of laser‐driven GO processing, positioning it as a versatile tool for rapid prototyping and scalable fabrication of graphene‐based devices.

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Laser Processing of Graphene Oxide Films publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in laser processing of graphene oxide films across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Graphene oxide (GO): A layered carbon material rich in oxygen functional groups, produced by chemical oxidation of graphite, which is electrically insulating and dispersible in polar solvents.

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO): Graphene oxide that has been chemically or physically treated to remove oxygen functionalities, partially restoring the conjugated sp² carbon network and electrical conductivity.

Photothermal reduction: A process whereby laser irradiation heats GO locally, driving thermal decomposition of oxygen groups and converting GO to rGO without bulk heating of the substrate.

Sheet resistance: A measure of resistivity for thin films, expressed in ohms per square, indicating the electrical conductivity of rGO patterns.

Sp² bonding: The planar covalent bonding configuration in graphene that enables delocalised π-electron conduction; its restoration is critical for conductivity in rGO films.

References

1. Confocal Microscopy for In Situ Multi‐Modal Characterization and Patterning of Laser‐Reduced Graphene Oxide. Advanced Functional Materials (2023).
2. Extensive reduction of graphene oxide on thin polymer substrates by ultrafast laser for robust flexible sensor applications. Applied Surface Science (2023).
3. Comparison of Thermal and Laser-Reduced Graphene Oxide Production for Energy Storage Applications. Nanomaterials (2023).
4. Graphene oxide-based micropatterns via high-throughput multiphoton-induced reduction and ablation. Optics Express (2014).
5. Laser-Plasma Driven Synthesis of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials. Scientific Reports (2017).