Low temperature growth of graphene on Cu–Ni alloy nanofibers for stable, flexible electrodes

Here, we report a facile approach to grow graphene on Cu–Ni alloy NFs at a temperature as low as 450–500 °C, in which solid polystyrene (PS) carbon source and two-temperature-zone furnace were used to prepare graphene. The graphene coated Cu–Ni (designated as G-coated Cu–Ni) NFs were fully characterized by Raman spectra, XPS, FESEM and TEM. The G-coated Cu–Ni NFs exhibited excellent anti-oxidation, anti-corrosion and flexibility properties. The anti-corrosion of G-coated Cu–Ni NFs was examined through cyclic voltammetry measurements by using sea water as the electrolyte solution. Finally, using crossed arrays of G-coated Cu–Ni NF composite electrode thin films (sheet resistance is ∼10 Ω sq−1) as the flexible electrode, an alternating current (AC) electroluminescent (EL) device with a configuration of G-coated Cu–Ni/active layer (ZnS : Cu phosphor)/dielectric layer (BaTiO3)/front electrode (CNT) has been fabricated. Under an AC voltage of 200 V and frequency of 1300 Hz, the ACEL device emitted blue light at 496 nm with a brightness of 103 cd m−2.