Synthesis and applications of graphene for flexible electronics

As the paradigm of electronic devices changes toward flexible electronics, the development of new materials that can stand high strains becomes more and more important. In particular, flexible transparent electrodes are essential to develop a new type of displays and solar cells that are flexible, foldable or stretchable. However, the current material for transparent electrodes such as indium tin oxides (ITO) is not suitable as flexible electrodes due to its fragility. Graphene, an atom thick carbon materials, is not only highly transparent and conducting but also extremely flexible, which is expected to replace the use of ITO both for flexible and non-flexible electronics in the future. Recently, a method to produce graphene films in large scale using roll-to-roll process has been developed, and the ITO replacement of touch screen panels was successfully demonstrated. In this talk, the overview of recent progresses in the macroscopic applications of graphene for various macroscopic electronics including flexible light emitting diodes, solar cells, batteries, and thin-film transistors will be presented, and the future directions of graphene-based macroelectronics will be discussed.