Laser-Carbonization - A powerful tool for micro-fabrication of patterned electronic carbons.

Fabricating electronic devices from natural, renewable resources has been a common goal in engineering and materials science for many years. In this regard, carbon is of special significance due to its biocompatibility combined with electrical conductivity and electrochemical stability. In microelectronics, however, carbon's device application is often inhibited by tedious and expensive preparation processes and lack of control over processing and material parameters. Laser-assisted carbonization is emerging as a tool for precise and selective synthesis of functional carbon-based materials for flexible device applications. In contrast to conventional carbonization via in-furnace pyrolysis, laser-carbonization is induced photo-thermally and occurs on the time-scale of milliseconds. By careful selection of the precursors and process parameters, the properties of this so-called laser-patterned carbon (LP-C) such as porosity, surface polarity, functional groups, degree of graphitization, charge-carrier structure etc. can be tuned. In this critical review, we generate a common perspective on laser-carbonization in the context of general carbonization strategies, fundamentals of laser-induced materials processing, and flexible electronic applications, like electrodes for sensors, electrocatalysts, energy storage, or antennas. An attempt is made to have equal emphasis on material processing and applications aspects such that this emerging technology can be optimally positioned in the broader context of carbon-based microfabrication. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.