Graphene to graphite; a layer by layer experimental measurements and density function theory calculations of electric conductivity

ABSTRACT

We measured the electric conductivity of large (25 × 50 mm) graphene films as a function of number of layers in the range of 1–20 layers. We also calculated the energy gap for such samples using density function theory. Our results showed a conductivity slightly above that of ITO for monolayer graphene and an exponential decrease as the number of graphene layers increased. Both experimental and simulation results showed a convergence of graphene into graphite at as little as 18–20 layers.

KEYWORDS:

• Graphene
• graphite
• electrical conductivity
• density-functional theory

Acknowledgements

The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). For computer time, this research used the resources of the Supercomputing Laboratory at KAUST.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). For computer time, this research used the resources of the Supercomputing Laboratory at KAUST.