Methods and apparatus for transfer of films among substrates

An arrangement for transferring at least one layer of material from a first substrate to a second substrate, the arrangement comprising:

• a supply roll comprising a roll of a composite material, the composite material comprising a first substrate, at least one layer of material comprising graphene in contact with the first substrate thereby defining an interface, the composite material further comprises a second material on at least part of an opposing surface of the first substrate, and wherein the at least one layer of the second material comprises a polymer, and a second substrate attached to a second surface of the at least one layer of material;
• a vessel containing a solution, the solution comprising water and at least one electrolyte;
• a cathode defined at the composite material when disposed in the solution;
• an anode disposed in the solution at a location remote from the cathode;
• a power source connected to the cathode and anode;
• a first pickup roll, the first pickup roll attached to the second substrate/at least one layer of material;
• a second pickup roll, the second pickup roll attached to the first substrate;
• wherein the cathode is constructed and arranged so as to produce bubbles at the interface, and wherein the second pickup roll is constructed and arranged to pull the first substrate in a first direction, and the first pickup roll is constructed and arranged to pull the second substrate along with the at least one layer of material in a second direction, the first and second directions diverging from one another, thereby defining an angle of separation, the angle of separation is about 1 degree to about 90 degrees.

A method comprising:

• forming at least one layer of material comprising graphene on at least part of a surface of a first substrate, wherein a first surface of the at least one layer of material is in contact with the first substrate thereby defining an interface;
• attaching a second substrate to a second surface of the at least one layer of material, the second surface opposing the first surface;
• forming bubbles at the interface, wherein forming bubbles at the interface comprises:
• forming a solution comprising water and electrolyte;
• immersing at least the interface in the solution;
• forming a cathode at the first substrate, at least one layer of material, and second substrate;
• disposing an anode in the solution at a location remote from the cathode;
• and
• connecting a power source to the cathode and anode, and passing electric current through the solution generated by the power source;
• and
• applying mechanical force, wherein applying mechanical force comprises pulling the first substrate in a first direction, and pulling the second substrate along with the at least one layer of material in a second direction, the first and second directions diverging from one another, thereby defining an angle of separation, the angle of separation is about 1 degree to about 90 degrees;
• whereby the second substrate and the at least one layer of material are jointly separated from the first substrate at the interface by the bubbles formed at the interface and the application of mechanical force.