Growth of uniform carbon thin film containing nanocrystalline graphene clusters from evaporated palm oil by thermal chemical vapor deposition

We report the growth of a relatively uniform graphitic carbon film on a nickel (Ni) substrate from the evaporated refined palm oil by thermal chemical vapor deposition employing the so-called flash cooling technique. Raman spectroscopy measurement confirms that the grown thin film contains nanocrystalline graphene clusters. The graphitic carbon thin film with an average thickness of 2 nm shows an optical transmission of 78% at a wavelength of 550 nm, and a sheet resistance of 13 kΩ/sq. The mechanism of the graphene growth on Ni utilizing the flash cooling technique is discussed by focusing on the possible causes of the highly defective characteristics of the grown film.