Mechanical properties of graphene nanoplates reinforced copper matrix composites prepared by electrostatic self-assembly and spark plasma sintering

Abstract

Since the densities of copper and graphene nanoplates (GNPs) are different, the synthesis of graphene nanoplates/copper (GNPs/Cu) composites is one of the challenges for the uniform dispersion of GNPs in the copper matrix. In this work, GNPs/Cu composites are synthesized by electrostatic self-assembly and spark plasma sintering. The result shows that GNPs are uniformly adsorbed on the surface of flake Cu powders, and the two-dimensional structure flake Cu powders improve the load-transfer efficiency of GNPs in the composites. Consequently, the tensile strength and Vickers hardness of 0.2 wt% GNPs/Cu composites have increased to 233 MPa and 108.6 HV, with 27% and 19% enhancements compared to pure Cu, respectively.