Phys. Status Solidi B 249, 2515–2518 (2012) DOI: 10.1002/pssb.201200157

Graphene is a two-dimensional material whose electronic and mechanical properties have sparked much research interest. Although graphene is generally perceived as completely flat, wrinkles and folds do form in the material, changing its electrical properties and chemical reactivity. The intentional folding of graphene provides a pathway to tailoring its properties for specific applications.

We have developed a facile method to produce three-dimensional folded structures of graphene over a polymer scaffold using patterned elastomeric stamps. We show that the graphene is continuous across these structures and that this folding of graphene results in an increased surface area in comparison to flat samples. This has potential applications for electronic devices and sensors containing graphene.

Below is an illustration of the production method.