High Electrical Conductivity Research Articles

Freestanding 3D graphite foam prepared by compressed growth template for superior electro-photo thermal performance

As a promising three-dimensional (3D) graphene architecture, graphene foam has excellent structural, electrical and thermal properties. However, due to the growth template limitation of commercial nickel/copper foam, graphene foam prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has a fixed 3D framework architecture, which limits its performance and application scenarios. In this paper, independent 3D graphite foam (GF) with different thickness and longitudinal compressibility was prepared by CVD method, and it was confirmed that mechanical compression of nickel foam template before graphite film deposition had a positive effect on the electrothermal, photothermal and mechanical properties of GF. At a low driving voltage of 3 V, the heating temperature of compressed GF with a low density of 8.9 mg/cm3 and a high porosity of 99.59 % can reach nearly 600 °C, which is nearly 250 °C higher than that of uncompressed GF. The excellent electrothermal performance of compressed GF is mainly attributed to the high crystallinity and thicker thickness (150–350 nm) of the graphite layers that make up the 3D framework, thus resulting in higher electrical conductivity. Under 1 and 2 sun illumination, the temperature of compressed GF can reach 83 °C and 109 °C respectively, which is 4–7 °C higher than that of the original GF. Compressed GF has better electrothermal, photothermal and radiant heating properties than traditional graphene/graphite foam and 2D graphene/graphite film. It not only has great application potential in high-efficient and energy-saving high-temperature electric heaters and photothermal converters, but also can be used as conductive supports or fillers with better performance, and has broad application prospects in flexible electronics, household appliances, artificial intelligence, medical care and other fields.

Numerical simulation of hybrid nanofluid flow consisting of polymer–CNT matrix nanocomposites subject to Lorentz force and heat source/sink across coaxial cylinders

The hybrid nanofluid (HNF) flow consists of polymer/CNT matrix nanocomposite material (MNC) across coaxial cylinders is numerically described in this study. The HNF flow is inspected under the consequences of thermal radiation, exponential heat source/sink and viscous dissipation. The HNF is prepared by adding polymer/CNT MNC in water. MNCs are highly productive elements with unique designs and properties. The MNCs are widely used in biomedicine and electrical applications due to their exceptional thermophysical properties. Based on their exceptionally high electrical conductivity, CNT/polymer nanoparticles (NPs) are also utilized as shielding for electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The HNF flow is modeled with the help of energy, continuity, and momentum equations. MATLAB package bvp4c is used to numerically handle the modeled equations. It has been perceived that the intensifying numbers of polymer/CNT MNC will lessen the fluid velocity and temperature profile in cases of both nanofluid and HNF.

Bio-templated carbon with high electrical conductivity for supercapacitor applications

Bio-templated carbon with high electrical conductivity for supercapacitor applications

Dual-indicators machine learning assisted processing high-quality laser-induced fluorine-doped graphene and its application on droplet velocity monitoring sensor

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is widely used in electron devices owing to its characteristics of fine patterning and high precision. Doping is a commonly used approach to improve the quality of LIG. Thanks to the excellent superhydrophobicity and high electrical conductivity of laser-induced fluorine-doped graphene (F-LIG), it shows promising potential in developing electrodes for electron devices. However, it remains a major challenge to rapidly search for the optimal laser processing parameter space that can process high-quality F-LIG. In this work, a dual-indicators predictive machine learning (ML) method for optimizing the F-LIG process was proposed, utilizing a Gaussian process regression (GPR) algorithm. The mean square error (MSE) between the actual and predicted values of the data used for the model test was 0.00814, while the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 10.33 %, demonstrating a certain degree of generalization without overfitting. Importantly, the F-LIG processed using parameters predicted by the ML model achieved excellent superhydrophobicity and conductivity simultaneously. Based on this high-quality F-LIG, a self-powered droplet velocity monitoring sensor was developed. This sensor can accurately work after 20,000 cycles, showing excellent stability. The proposed dual-indicator ML model assisted the optimization of the F-LIG process, which will provide a feasible and economical way to process high-quality graphene and related electron devices.

Soft-metal bonding-enabled recyclable and anti-interference flexible multilayer piezoelectric sensor for tractor tire strain monitoring

Real-time efficient sensing of machine-soil interactions, especially precise tire-ground contact information, plays a critical role in cultivation, seeding, and harvesting for smart agriculture. However, the complicated agricultural environment poses a considerable challenge to traditional rigid sensors, which cannot suffer from both large deformation and electromagnetic interference. Here, we report a novel soft-metal BiInSn bonding-enabled recyclable and anti-interference flexible multilayer piezoelectric sensor for monitoring tractor tire strain. The printed BiInSn-ink electrode fully wraps the surface fibers of porous BaTiO3/PVDF-HFP electrospun films only through a low pressure at low temperature due to its unique thermal-softening effects, which of the adhesion strength is superior to the intrinsic tension limit of the film. The compact multilayer piezoelectric sensor is thus easily prepared, remarkably increasing the output voltage compared to a single-layer case (up to 300% for three layers). Benefiting from the low melting point of the BiInSn alloy, the sensors are easily recyclable compared to conventional metal electrodes prepared with copper, silver, and gold. In addition, its high electrical conductivity also enables the shielding layer to achieve ultrahigh shielding effectiveness of 2100 dB mm−1. This sensor can be demonstrated for tire strain sensing under complex operating conditions such as plowing, harrowing, and fertilizer application. These findings serve as a foundation for accelerating the development of smart agriculture.

Nanofiber derived MXene composite paper for electromagnetic shielding and thermal management

Despite the urgent demands in protecting wearable electronics from electromagnetic interference (EMI) in various conditions, it remains challenging to attain mechanically robust and flexible materials with both excellent EMI shielding and thermal managing performance. Herein, we report MXene composite paper that can provide multifunction with superior mechanical properties. To construct a hierarchical composite with 2D/0D reinforcements, the MXene paper is fabricated by hot pressing of electrospun Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers incorporated with MXene nanosheets and carbon black nanoparticles. Due to the laminated structure connected by nanoparticles, the flexible composite paper shows remarkable mechanical strength and fatigue resistance that can provide stable EMI shielding effectiveness of 500 dB/mm even after 10000th cyclic rolling. Moreover, the high in-plane electrical conductivity and out-of-plane thermal conductivity allow a fast electrothermal heating and cooling behavior, which qualifies the MXene paper as multifunctional surface for wearable electronics.

Structural evolution and thermoelectric performance in (GeTe)m(Sb2Te3)n compounds

Exploring the relationship between crystal structure and thermoelectric performance is a pivotal topic in the thermoelectric field. In this study, we have comprehensively investigated the correlation between the structural evolution of (GeTe)m(Sb2Te3)n pseudo-binary system and the thermoelectric properties. The proportion of van der Waals bonds increases with the rising Sb2Te3 content, resulting in an increase in the anisotropy of the electrical conductivity and a decrease in the average sound velocity. Additionally, the cation sites in the crystal lattice of these compounds exhibit a mixed occupancy of Ge/Sb atoms, although the cation sites adjacent to the van der Waals gaps are predominantly occupied by Sb atoms. The ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity of the GST124 and GST147 compounds is mainly attributed to the high concentration of van der Waals bonds and enhanced phonon scattering arising from Ge/Sb mixed cation occupancy and high density of defect structures. The high electrical conductivity combined with the low lattice thermal conductivity enables GST124 and GST147 compounds to achieve a maximum ZT value of 0.56 and 0.57, respectively. Higher thermoelectric performance can be achieved through optimization of the microstructure as well as the carrier concentration.

Electrical conductivity enhancement of rGO-MoS2 composite electrode for inverted PSC by parameter optimization

Carbon-based electrodes are widely used in photovoltaic, metal-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors due to their low ohmic resistance and ability to integrate modifiers. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) represents a promising alternative to graphite in carbon-based electrodes because of its high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and robust mechanical properties. This study aimed to optimize the fabrication parameters of rGO-MoS2 composite electrodes prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal method, focusing on maximizing their electrical conductivity for potential electronic applications. Taguchi analysis was employed to evaluate the impact of three key factors: rGO-MoS2 mixing ratio, annealing temperature, and annealing time. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic optimization approach using the Taguchi method, which allowed for the identification of the most significant factors and their optimal levels. The optimal combination was found to be a 1:1 ratio, 75 °C annealing temperature, and 15-min annealing time, resulting in an impressive electrical conductivity of 11 800 S m⁻1. This optimized rGO-MoS2 composite electrode exhibited an approximate 11 % reduction in sheet resistance compared to the unoptimized composite. Furthermore, all samples show an improvement in sheet resistance values compared to pure rGO and MoS2, which were 82.5 Ω/sq and 48.9 Ω/sq. Numerical simulations further revealed a 13.23 % improvement in device performance when the optimized rGO-MoS2 composite was implemented as the top electrode in an inverted perovskite solar cell, demonstrating the significant potential of this material for various electronic applications.

Mechanical properties of scCu-rGO /Cu composites reinforced with Cu2O transition layer constructed by supercritical CO2 deposition

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with surface-loaded Cu particles (scCu-rGO) was prepared by supercritical CO2 deposition, and Cu matrix composites with scCu-rGO as a reinforcement (scCu-rGO/Cu composites) were successfully prepared by ball milling for different times and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The scCu-rGO/Cu composites prepared with a ball milling time of 20 h exhibited high electrical conductivity (96.3 % IACS), tensile strength (240 MPa), and elongation (37 %). The outstanding properties are mainly ascribed to the uniform distribution of rGO by the ball milling process and rGO promoted by loading Cu particles onto its surface through supercritical deposition, which led to an interfacial reaction between rGO and Cu, resulting in the formation of a Cu2O transition layer with a load-transferring effect that enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Based on the experimental results, the strength of scCu-rGO/Cu composites is mainly enhanced by synergistic strengthening through grain refinement, Orowan looping and load transfer strengthening. This study demonstrates that the use of supercritical deposition to construct Cu2O transition layers can result in a strength-plasticity and high electrical conductivity match in scCu-rGO/Cu composites. The findings presented here offer new insights for innovative design of Cu matrix composites for advanced engineering applications by using supercritical deposition.

Co–Ni bimetallic selenides embedded in honeycomb carbon framework as multifunctional separator interlayer to enhance the electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries

The commercialization of Li–S batteries is severely hampered by the electrically insulated nature of S and the discharge product Li2S, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and the slow redox kinetics between Li2S2/Li2S. Herein, a composite of Co–Ni bimetallic selenide nanoparticles embedded in honeycomb porous carbon (Co–Ni–Se@C) is prepared and used as a multifunctional interlayer on the separator to solve the above-mentioned challenges in Li–S batteries. The Co–Ni–Se@C composite with high electrical conductivity can not only accelerate Li+ and electronic transfer but also have good chemisorption and catalytic activity for LiPSs, which can maximize the utilization of sulfur active material. As expected, Li–S batteries assembled with Co–Ni–Se@C-PP separator exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, including high initial discharge capacity of 1245 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, superior long cycling stability with a 0.066 % decay per cycle at 1.0 C, and an excellent rate capacity of 674 mAh g−1 at 5.0 C. In addition, a satisfactory capacity of 1174 mAh g−1 is achieved with a high sulfur loading of 3.7 mAh g−1 and a low E/S ratio of 10 μL mg−1. This work provides a new insight into the application of bimetallic selenides in high-performance Li–S batteries.

Peculiarities in XPS spectra of Sn/SiO2 layers as an effect of surface charge

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy based on synchrotron radiation was used to investigate the composition of the observed SnO2-x/Sn:SiO2-x thin layer grown by organometallic chemical vapour deposition on single-crystalline silicon wafer with additional argon ions etching treatment. Due to the formation of a thermodynamic anomaly during in situ layer growth, an efficient oxygen exchange between silicon and tin oxide phases occurs. The present study addresses the effect of localized surface charging and its influence on the obtained XPS core level spectra. We found that due to the high electrical conductivity of metallic tin and the direct coupling of tin particles to the silicon wafer, the XPS Sn 3d5/2 core level spectrum is not affected by the surface charge compared to the highly charged dielectric silicon oxide matrix, as observed for the XPS O 1 s and Si 2p core level spectra. Our results show that the core level spectra of Si 2p and O 1 s are shifted up to 3 eV due to the presence of uncompensated positive charge on the surface of the silica matrix. These results provide insight into the influence of surface charge effects on the analysis of conductor/insulator composite materials and contribute to the application of Sn-based materials in various application concepts related to energy and surface functionalization.

Design of hybrid Ag–Au nanostructure based fully elastomeric nanocomposite electrodes for soft integrated electronics

Recent advancements in stretchable devices have opened new avenues for constructing soft electronics for use in applications such as health-monitoring wearables, advanced integrated circuits, and soft robotics. Meeting the increasing demand for enhanced functionality in soft electronics requires the development of soft conductors with high electrical conductivity, mechanical durability, and cost-effectiveness. Researchers have addressed this challenge by creating percolated networks within the elastomer as a nanocomposite using low-dimensional conducting nanomaterials to endow non-stretchable metallic materials with mechanical stretchability. For example, silver nanowires (AgNWs) have found wide application as essential fillers in soft conductor nanocomposites owing to their remarkable aspect ratio and cost-efficiency. However, their application is limited by their susceptibility to environmental degradation and poor compatibility with semiconducting materials. In this work, the hybrid Ag–Au based nanomaterials as a filler nanomaterial within an elastomer in a nanocomposite format was generated, as it exploits the strengths of each material while mitigating their respective weaknesses. Specifically, the work introduces the merit of the hybrid elastomeric electrodes that consist of AgNWs decorated with Au nanoparticles (AANWs), and Au nanosheets (AuNSs) embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. These electrodes exhibit remarkable mechanical resilience and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for application in transistors, logic gates, integrated electronics, and soft displays. The work explores the synthesis and properties of hybrid materials comprising AgNWs and AuNSs, highlighting the promising potential of these materials for future research and development.

Electrochemical detection of tryptophan in pineapple fruit using a green and chemically synthesized PANI/CuO nanocomposite modified electrode

This study investigated the electrochemical detection of Tryptophan (Trp) in pineapple using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with nanocomposites of green and chemically synthesized copper oxide-polyaniline (PANI/CuOgrn and PANI/CuOchm). Given the properties of PANI/CuOgrn and PANI/CuOchm that have never been applied in the detection of Trp, it indicates that the development of a highly sensitive and selective sensing platform for Trp-is necessary. Such a platform would take advantage of high electric conductivity, larger surface area, and improved catalytic activity of the nanocomposites. PANI/CuOgrn and PANI/CuOchm nanocomposites were formed by doping polyaniline (PANI) with green and chemically synthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles. Using Debye-Scherrer the particle sizes of PANI/CuOgrn and PANI/CuOchm were found to be 15 nm and 13 nm, respectively. Through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV), the electrochemical behaviour of CuOch, CuOgrn, PANI/CuOchm, and PANI/CuOgrn electrodes was studied, with the focus on comparing the nanocomposites for tryptophan (Trp) catalysis. GCE-PANI/CuOchm showed a higher current response of 3.2 μA than GCE-PANI/CuOgrn. SWV was used to determine Trp, with the linear range of 5.11 μM to 25.85 μM and limit of detection (LOD) values of 3.947 and 2.037 μM for GCE-PANI/CuOchm, and 3.434 and 2.427 μM for GCE-PANI/CuOgrn. The GCE-PANI/CuOchm electrode achieved a recovered percentage of 96 % to 109 %, with an average RSD value of 18.3 (n=3), while the GCE-PANI/CuOchm electrode achieved a percentage recovery of 85 % to 103 % with an RSD value of 12.7 (n=3). The high recovery percentages for both electrodes confirm their dependability in detecting Trp. The high concentration of Trp-in the fruit and the electrode's sensitivity to identifying Trp-in actual sample analysis may account for the high recovery percentage observed.

Exploring the structural mechanics of titanium nickel solid alloy using COMSOL Multiphysics: A Poisson equation and continuity equation perspective

This study investigates the structural mechanics of titanium-nickel (Ti-Ni) alloy thin film using computational modelling through COMSOL Multiphysics based on Poisson’s equation and continuity equation for stress check by considering its linear elastic, conservation of charge and providing insight into nanomaterial deformation. In the COMSOL environment the parameters for titanium nickel (Ti-Ni) are embedded in the COMSOL Simulink interface. The Thin film layer was designed by defining the layer geometry of the size and shape of the layer with a width of 500 μm, depth of 200 μm and height of 3 μm subjected to boundary conditions such as von – mises stress, surface temperature, iso-surface temperature, multi-slice electric potential, displacement component, surface elastic strain energy density and total enthalpy. The results displayed a trend that is, as the surface temperature increases there will be an increase in the current densities associated with high electrical conduction. On the same note, the designed thin film layer will pass the percolation threshold. The results of surface elastic strain energy density and total enthalpy imply that the designed thin film layer is effective and efficient as a structural pseudopotential device (photodiode).

Achieving excellent physico-mechanical properties of Cu matrix composites by incorporating a low content of a three-dimensional graphene network

In-depth investigation of the distribution form of the reinforcement and associated mechanisms has great significance for fabricating highly strengthened and conductive Cu matrix composites. The three-dimensional graphene (3DG) network can withstand more strain due to its large specific surface area, and provides interlinked high-speed conductive paths within the composites. In this study, we propose a feasible method to fabricate 3DG-reinforced Cu matrix composites; here, the Cu foam serves as the initial substrate during the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process and as the matrix of the composites. Through constructing an ideal 3DG network, the graphene content is approximately 0.28 vol%, and a remarkable 230 % improvement in the ultimate tensile strength (418 MPa) with a high electrical conductivity (97.02 %IACS) is obtained in the composite. The continuous high-quality 3DG network is conducive for achieving excellent physico-mechanical properties of the composites, and the enhanced efficiency is superior. A new concept of fabricating Cu matrix composites was proposed for future research.

Electrochemical and Mechanical Properties of Hexagonal Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes Formed by Sonoelectrochemical Anodization.

This study aimed to investigate the fabrication and characterization of hexagonal titanium dioxide nanotubes (hTNTs) compared to compact TiO2 layers, focusing on their structural, electrochemical, corrosion, and mechanical properties. The fabrication process involved the sonoelectrochemical anodization of titanium foil in various electrolytes to obtain titanium oxide layers with different morphologies. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of well-ordered hexagonal TNTs with diagonals in the range of 30-95 nm and heights in the range of 3500-4000 nm (35,000-40,000 Å). The electrochemical measurements performed in 3.5% NaCl and Ringer's solution confirmed a more positive open-circuit potential, a lower impedance, a higher electrical conductivity, and a higher corrosion rate of hTNTs compared to the compact TiO2. The data revealed a major drop in the impedance modulus of hTNTs, with a diagonal of 46 ± 8 nm by 97% in 3.5% NaCl and 96% in Ringer's solution compared to the compact TiO2. Nanoindentation tests revealed that the mechanical properties of the hTNTs were influenced by their diagonal size, with decreasing hardness and Young's modulus observed with an increasing diagonal size of the hTNTs, accompanied by increased plastic deformation. Overall, these findings suggest that hTNTs exhibit promising structural and electrochemical properties, making them potential candidates for various applications, including biosensor platforms.

MOF-derived α-Fe2O3@Fe3O4 on carbon fiber fabric for lithium-ion anode applications

Owing to the current development in emerging fields as electric motoring, biomedical sensors or new generation of mobile phones, new functionalities are required for the new generation of Li-ion batteries as flexibility or structurality. Thus, Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-derived α-Fe2O3@Fe3O4 coating on carbon fiber fabric has been developed in this study for Lithium-ion battery anode purposes. MOF-derived synthesis is a well-known strategy to obtain Transition Metal Oxides (TMOs) which better electrochemical performance than bare TMOs. On the other hand, synthesis on carbon fiber fabric allows to develop new electrodes for multifunctional energy storage devices in which the coating provides high specific capacity, while the carbon fiber substrate provides stiffness but high flexibility, mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity. This TMO coating was achieved by a novel MOF MIL-100 direct synthesis on carbon fiber and subsequent calcination, the effects of calcination on the composition, texture and morphology of the coating, as well as its electrochemical performance, were studied. As the best result, calcinated samples during 2 h showed the optimal synergic effects between the coating and carbon fiber, exhibiting a specific capacity of 328.6 mAh/g at 25 mA/g, an excellent rate capability and a capacity retention of 89.7 % after 100 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the novelty of this work is not only based on the electrochemical performance but also on the novel synthesis of MIL-100 directly over the carbon fibers. This novel synthesis opens the way to new variety of TMO coatings for electrodes of all-solid-state energy storage devices.

Biolayer-Interferometry-Guided Functionalization of Screen-Printed Graphene for Label-Free Electrochemical Virus Detection.

Additive manufacturing holds promise for rapid prototyping and low-cost production of biosensors for diverse pathogens. Among additive manufacturing methods, screen printing is particularly desirable for high-throughput production of sensing platforms. However, this technique needs to be combined with carefully formulated inks, rapid postprocessing, and selective functionalization to meet all requirements for high-performance biosensing applications. Here, we present screen-printed graphene electrodes that are processed with thermal annealing to achieve high surface area and electrical conductivity for sensitive biodetection via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. As a proof-of-concept, this biosensing platform is utilized for electrochemical detection of SARS-CoV-2. To ensure reliable specificity in the presence of multiple variants, biolayer interferometry (BLI) is used as a label-free and dynamic screening method to identify optimal antibodies for concurrent affinity to the Spike S1 proteins of Delta, Omicron, and Wild Type SARS-CoV-2 variants while maintaining low affinity to competing pathogens such as Influenza H1N1. The BLI-identified antibodies are robustly bound to the graphene electrode surface via oxygen moieties that are introduced during the thermal annealing process. The resulting electrochemical immunosensors achieve superior metrics including rapid detection (55 s readout following 15 min of incubation), low limits of detection (approaching 500 ag/mL for the Omicron variant), and high selectivity toward multiple variants. Importantly, the sensors perform well on clinical saliva samples detecting as few as 103 copies/mL of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, following CDC protocols. The combination of the screen-printed graphene sensing platform and effective antibody selection using BLI can be generalized to a wide range of point-of-care immunosensors.

Synergistic Cathode Design for High-Performance Dual-Salt Magnesium/Lithium-Ion Batteries Using 2D/2D 1T/2H-MoS2@Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanocomposite.

Magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) and dual-salt magnesium/lithium-ion batteries (MLIBs) have emerged as promising contenders for next-generation energy storage. In contrast to lithium metal anode in lithium metal batteries, magnesium metal anode in MIBs and MLIBs presents a safer alternative due to the limited dendrite growth and higher volumetric capacity, along with higher natural abundance. This study explores a MLIB configuration with a novel cathode design by employing a 2D/2D nanocomposite of 1T/2H mixed phase MoS2 and delaminated Ti3C2Tx MXene (1T/2H-MoS2@MXene) to address challenges associated with slow kinetics of magnesium ions during cathode interactions. This cathode design takes advantage of the high electrical conductivity of Ti3C2Tx MXene and the expanded interlayer spacing with enhanced conductivity of the 1T metallic phase in 1T/2H mixed phase MoS2. Through a designed synthesis method, the resulting nanocomposite cathode maintains structural integrity, enabling the stable and reversible storage of dual Mg2+ and Li+ ions. The nanocomposite cathode demonstrates superior performance in MLIBs compared to individual components (253 mAh g-1 at 50 mA g-1, and 36% of capacity retention at 1,000 mA g-1), showcasing short ion transport paths and fast ion storage kinetics. This work represents a significant advancement in cathode material design for cost-effective and safeMLIBs.

High-strength and high-conductivity additively manufactured Cu-O alloy enabled by cellular microstructure

Printing Cu alloys with simultaneously high strength and high electrical conductivity by laser powder bed fusion remains a challenge. In conventionally manufactured Cu alloys, nanoprecipitates form through alloying elements to impart significant strengthening effects while having a lesser impact on electrical conductivity. However, the ultrahigh cooling rate of laser powder bed fusion promotes the supersaturated solid solution of alloying elements, resulting in severe lattice distortion in the Cu matrix and a significant compromise in electrical conductivity. Therefore, it is vital to select Cu alloying elements that substantially prevent the formation of a supersaturated solid solution in laser powder bed fusion to achieve outstanding strength while maintaining sufficient electrical conductivity. In this study, we fabricated a Cu-O alloy with high strength (491.6 MPa) and high electrical conductivity (68.0 % IACS) using laser powder bed fusion. The alloy features a cellular microstructure in which Cu2O nanoprecipitates are configured orderly as the cellular boundary. This cellular microstructure can promote strength by impeding dislocation motion and maintain a high electrical conductivity by preserving a longer free path for conductive electrons. This study explores the potential of combining the alloy composition and extreme process conditions of laser powder bed fusion to provoke unique microstructures and overcome the dilemma between strength and electrical conductivity in Cu alloys.