Study of mechanical properties of graphene nanoplates reinforced copper matrix composites prepared through electrostatic self-assembly and electroless copper plating

Abstract

Copper (Cu) matrix composites reinforced by graphene nanoplates (GNPs) were prepared through electrostatic self-assembly and electroless Cu plating. GNPs were uniformly adsorbed on the surface of flake Cu powders by electrostatic self-assembly, and then, GNPs were coated with a layer of Cu nanoparticles using electroless Cu plating. The coating of GNPs on Cu nanoparticles is used to enhance both the interfacial wettability of GNPs with Cu powders and the interface bonding strength of them by the formation of oxygen-mediated group. The tensile tests shown that the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the GNPs/Cu composites with Cu plating were higher than those of GNPs/Cu composites without Cu plating.