Enhanced Interfacial Bonding and Mechanical Properties of Graphene/Cu Composites: A Matrix-Alloying Method

摘要

Strong graphene-metal interface is of significant importance for the enhanced mechanical properties of graphene/metal composites. However, the design of robust interface for the specific graphene/Cu composites remains challenging. Here, the authors present a matrix-alloying method for the interface optimization of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/CuTi composites in which the Cu matrix is alloyed with a trace of Ti (0.3 at.%). It is found that a 5–20nm thick TiC layer is in situ formed at the interface of RGO/CuTi composites, which shows a specific orientation relationship with RGO: (200)_(πc)//(0002)_(RGO)[011]_(TiC)//[1210]_(RGO).The generated TiC layer dramatically enhances the interfacial bonding of RGO/CuTi composite, leading to a yield strength of 242 MPa and a tensile strength of 307 MPa at 2 vol.% RGO loading, 24 and 16% higher than those of 2 vol.% RGO/Cu composite without alloying, respectively. Therefore, the matrix-alloying is an effective approach for enhancing the interfacial bonding and mechanical properties of graphene/Cu composites.