Sustainable nanomanufacturing: two-dimensional materials transfer using a bioderived and biodegradable supportive polymer

Abstract

Current methods for transferring 2D materials typically rely on non-biodegradable support polymers, which have a detrimental impact on the environment due to the extensive use of solvents required for polymer removal and the introduction of transfer-induced defects. In this study, we present an approach for synthesizing a biodegradable polyester, poly-angelica lactone (PAL) derived from bio-based raw materials, angelica lactone (α-AL). The biodegradability of the synthesized PAL is activated through a specific mechanism, which has been validated by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The molecular weight and thermal properties of PAL have been characterized using GPC and DSC techniques, respectively. We employed PAL as a support layer for the transfer of 2D materials, such as graphene, demonstrating that the removal of PAL requires less than 30 min. The transferred graphene exhibited superior quality compared to conventional PMMA-based methods, with induced strain and doping levels maintained well below ±0.5% and 0.5 × 10¹² e cm⁻², respectively. Remarkably, the PAL support layer can be efficiently removed from graphene films using a fungus (e.g. yeast). This innovative approach not only emphasizes the eco-friendly nature of the process but also highlights its potential for enabling sustainable and efficient 2D materials transfer, paving the way for greener nanodevice fabrication methods.