Rapid preparation of graphene-skinned glass fiber fabric based on propane as carbon source

Direct chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of graphene on dielectric/insulating materials promises transfer-free applications of graphene. However, growing graphene on non-catalytic substrates faces significant challenges, particularly due to its limited growth rate, restricting large-scale production and potential applications. Here, we develop graphene-skinned glass fiber fabric (GGFF) by growing graphene CVD on commercial glass fiber fabric (GFF). This study utilizes propane as a carbon source to prepare GGFF rapidly. The active carbon source (C₂H) derived from propane plays a significant role in facilitating the rapid growth of graphene films. It accelerated growth rates (~ 50 times faster), and reduced growth temperature (~ 100 °C lower) compared to the conventional carbon source methane. Additionally, propane consistently maintains a higher graphene growth rate than methane at equivalent growth temperatures. The lightweight flexibility, excellent thermal radiation properties, and energy efficiency of GGFF make it an outstanding material for infrared radiation drying.