Abstract
In our previous studies, we have developed a wet process to synthesize a copper-single walled carbon nanotube (Cu–SWCNT) metal nanocomposite with excellent mechanical properties. The nanostructure of this Cu–SWCNT composite was confirmed independently by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping, spectroscopy measurements, and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images with discernable SWCNT clusters in nano sizes. However, TEM images with discernable nano-sized SWCNT clusters are rare. In this paper, we present analysis of indirect TEM image patterns, such as moiré fringes, to infer the existence of SWCNT clusters within the copper matrix. Moiré fringes or patterns in the TEM images of a Cu–SWCNT nanocomposite could be generated due to the overlapping of more than one thin crystals with similar periodic arrangements of atoms, promoted by SWCNT clusters. However, the presence of moiré patterns is not a sufficient or a necessary condition for the existence of SWCNT clusters. It was found that based on the overlapping angle of two periodic arrangements, it is feasible to distinguish the moiré fringes induced by SWCNT clusters from those by other factors, such as dislocations. The ability to identify SWCNTs within the copper matrix based on indirect TEM moiré patterns helps to widen the usability of TEM images.
Highlights
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), due to their exceptional structural properties, are ideal reinforcing elements to form composites for structural applications [1,2,3]
We propose a hypothesis that within a single crystal of copper, the single walled walled carbon carbon nanotube nanotube (SWCNT) clusters in the copper matrix could alter the lattice structure surrounding the clusters significantly enough to induce moiré patterns or fringes
The hypothesis is related to the possibility that SWCNT clusters could disrupt the atom arrangements more substantially to induce specific moiré patterns which are distinctive enough to be identified
Summary
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), due to their exceptional structural properties, are ideal reinforcing elements to form composites for structural applications [1,2,3]. One major challenge in the synthesis of CNT–metal composites is due to the difficulty to achieve uniform dispersion of CNTs at small cluster sizes. This challenge is a result of CNTs’ tremendous surface area, up to 200 m2 /g, for which van der Waals forces can lead to the formation of large clusters. Summaries and applications of metal–CNT composites can be found in several reviews, and one successful example is CNT-reinforced aluminum for high-frequency MEMS resonators [4,5,6].
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