Decorating nano Ni on the surface of CNTs and their wettability behaviors analysis with aluminum alloy

Abstract

CNTs have poor wettability with aluminum resulting in strengthening much less than expected. Nano Ni of 50 to 80 nm are uniformly decorated on the surface of CNTs (CNTs@Ni) to improve interface wettability with aluminum. The results of wettability measurements indicate that CNTs@Ni/2024Al system has contact angles of 81.9° at 1133 K. Gibbs free energy calculations show that interfacial reactions of CNTs@Ni/2024Al system are more active than those of CNTs/2024Al system. The interfacial reaction of producing Al4C3 is inhibited, because solid solubility of C in Al is extremely low. More active interfacial reactions of producing AlNi release significant heat to reduce surface tension and solid–liquid interfacial energy, resulting in molten 2024Al interface breakdown and making CNTs@Ni/2024Al system exhibits wettability.