Versatile graphene nanocomposite microheater patterning for various thermoplastic substrates based on capillary filling and transfer molding

We report a fabrication method of graphene nanocomposite patterns on a thermoplastic substrate using capillary filling and transfer molding techniques. As a proof of concept, we produced microheaters using a low-viscosity graphene nanocomposite solution. After filling a microchannel on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp with graphene solution, the solution solvent was evaporated, leaving behind the graphene nanocomposite pattern. Subsequent embossing of the graphene nanocomposite patterns on the PDMS stamp onto a polymethylmethacrylate substrate allowed the transfer of the microheater pattern. Capillary filling was characterized analytically and experimentally. The performance and thermal response of the fabricated microheater were very promising. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4795594]