Simple Wafer-Scale Growth and Transfer of Graphene Film Converted from Spin-Coated Fullerene Derivative

We report a simple method for growing wafer-scale graphene films using PCBM (phenyl-C-61-butyric acid methyl ester), a fullerene derivative, as a solid carbon source. PCBM films spin-coated on nickel catalyst were easily converted to graphene films having a thickness of a few layers by thermal annealing without any reactive gas. This method of converting PCBM to graphene is safe, unlike the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method that uses explosive precursor gases. PCBM-derived graphene films were also transferred through a simple process to plastic substrates with a supporting layer for use in organic solar cells. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells prepared on the PCBM-derived graphene electrode was 0.98%. This study indicates that PCBM-derived graphene films can serve as an inexpensive, flexible alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) films, and therefore, they can improve the economic viability and flexibility of organic solar cells. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.