Scalable Etch‐Free Transfer of Low‐Dimensional Materials From Metal Films to Diverse Substrates

ABSTRACT Low‐dimensional materials hold great promises for exploring emergent physical phenomena, nanoelectronics, and quantum technologies. Their synthesis often depends on catalytic metal films, from which the synthesized materials must be transferred to insulating substrates to enable device functionality and minimize interfacial interactions during quantum investigations. Conventional transfer methods, such as chemical etching or electrochemical delamination, degrade material quality, limit scalability, or prove incompatible with complex device architectures. Here, a scalable, etch‐free transfer technique is presented, employing Field's metal (51% In, 32.5% Bi, and 16.5% Sn by weight) as a low‐melting‐point mechanical support to gently delaminate low‐dimensional materials from metal films without causing damage. Anchoring the metal film during separation prevents tearing and preserves material integrity. As a proof of concept, atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are transferred from Au(111)/mica to dielectric substrates, including silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) and single‐crystalline lanthanum oxychloride (LaOCl). Comprehensive characterization confirms the preservation of structural and chemical integrity throughout the transfer process. Wafer‐scale compatibility and device integration are demonstrated by fabricating GNR‐based field‐effect transistors (GNRFETs) that exhibit room‐temperature switching with on/off current ratios exceeding 10 3 . This method provides a scalable and versatile platform for integrating low‐dimensional materials into advanced low‐dimensional materials‐based technologies.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials Interfaces
Published
2025-11-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202500630
Primary Topic
2D Materials and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Scalable Etch‐Free Transfer of Low‐Dimensional Materials From Metal Films to Diverse Substrates

Alan J. Welch, Zafer Mutlu, Julian Battaglia, K. Andre Mkhoyan et al.
Advanced Materials Interfaces
2D Materials and Applications
article

Scalable Etch‐Free Transfer of Low‐Dimensional Materials From Metal Films to Diverse Substrates

Alan J. Welch, Zafer Mutlu, Julian Battaglia, K. Andre Mkhoyan, Kentaro Yumigeta, Alexander Sinitskii, Muhammed Yusufoğlu, Mamun Sarker, Rishi Raj, Thomas Sweepe, Richard H. Holloway, Shelby Janssen, Paul DiPasquale, Franco Daluisio, Howard Yawit
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Low‐dimensional materials hold great promises for exploring emergent physical phenomena, nanoelectronics, and quantum technologies. Their synthesis often depends on catalytic metal films, from which the synthesized materials must be transferred to insulating substrates to enable device functionality and minimize interfacial interactions during quantum investigations. Conventional transfer methods, such as chemical etching or electrochemical delamination, degrade material quality, limit scalability, or prove incompatible with complex device architectures. Here, a scalable, etch‐free transfer technique is presented, employing Field's metal (51% In, 32.5% Bi, and 16.5% Sn by weight) as a low‐melting‐point mechanical support to gently delaminate low‐dimensional materials from metal films without causing damage. Anchoring the metal film during separation prevents tearing and preserves material integrity. As a proof of concept, atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are transferred from Au(111)/mica to dielectric substrates, including silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) and single‐crystalline lanthanum oxychloride (LaOCl). Comprehensive characterization confirms the preservation of structural and chemical integrity throughout the transfer process. Wafer‐scale compatibility and device integration are demonstrated by fabricating GNR‐based field‐effect transistors (GNRFETs) that exhibit room‐temperature switching with on/off current ratios exceeding 10 3 . This method provides a scalable and versatile platform for integrating low‐dimensional materials into advanced low‐dimensional materials‐based technologies.

Advanced Materials InterfacesVol. 13(1)
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US), University of Minnesota (US), University of Arizona (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 69%
2D Materials and Applications
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.