Methods and systems for fabrication of graphene nanoribbons

A method for fabricating graphene nanoribbons, comprising the steps of:

• providing a chamber defining a first cavity and a second cavity, said first and second cavities being separated by a divider, the divider defining an opening to place the first cavity in fluid communication with the second cavity;
• positioning a graphite sample within the first cavity;
• positioning a container in the second cavity, the container having a metal disposed therein;
• heating the container to expel a cloud of the metal from the container;
• injecting a gas into the second cavity of the chamber, the gas propelling the cloud of the metal through the opening defined by the divider and into the first cavity of the chamber where it contacts the graphite sample to produce dislocation bands on the graphite sample;
• removing the graphite sample from the chamber;
• and
• electrostatically depositing the dislocation bands on a substrate, such that the dislocation bands are removed from the graphite sample and deposited on the substrate as graphene nanoribbons.