Method and apparatus for manufacturing graphene-coated copper foil

Continuous roll-to-roll process integrating electrolytic copper foil production and wet graphene coating

This technology combines the electrolytic copper foil manufacturing process and the graphene coating process into a single wet roll-to-roll system, enabling continuous graphene coating on the copper foil surface without the need for adhesives.

Existing CVD methods are discontinuous and costly, while dipping methods suffer from low productivity and complex processes due to the required use of adhesives.

This technology works by washing and drying the copper foil deposited in the electrolytic bath, then feeding it directly into a coating bath containing a graphene dispersion solution. The graphene concentration is kept constant by periodically replenishing it from an external reservoir before the final drying and winding stages. Applicable to mass production lines for lithium-ion battery anode current collectors and heat-dissipating/EMI-shielding copper foil, it allows for coating immediately after production, reducing both capital investment and process steps.

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Key Features:

• Depositing electrolytic copper foil by applying current between an anode plate and a cathode roll in an electrolytic bath containing a copper ion electrolyte
• Continuously feeding the washed and dried copper foil into a coating bath containing a graphene dispersion solution via a second guide roll
• Forming a graphene-coated copper foil by passing the copper foil over a coating roll within the bath to apply the graphene layer
• Maintaining the graphene concentration in the coating bath by periodically supplying graphene from an external reservoir

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of composite intermediate materials through the manufacturing and functionalization of edge-partially oxidized graphene.

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