Graphene Synthesis, Transfer, Characterization, and Application

Graphene’s unparalleled electrical and physical properties hold immense promise in biomedical applications including sensing and drug delivery. However, the ability to synthesize and transfer large-area graphene onto substrates to interface with biological systems remains a challenge. Furthermore, graphene’s potential cytotoxicity is yet well understood and limits downstream biomedical applications. We report here the synthesis of large-area single and a few layers of graphene on copper via chemical vapor deposition. The roles of growth time and hydrogen were systematically investigated. After synthesis, the graphene was transferred onto silicon and glass substrates while maintaining the integrity of the synthesized graphene. The graphene samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and optical imaging to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the coverage and quality of the graphene. Finally, the cellular impact of graphene on glass was evaluated in fluorescently-labeled heart myocytes (H9C2 cells) by imaging and biochemical assays. We found that large-area single layer graphene enhances cell growth, and exerts no apparent cytotoxic effect. Large-area graphene is thus biocompatible and facilitates further biomedical integrations.