Graphene-like carbon nanosheet/copper composite with combined performance designed by pyrolyzing trimesic acid@copper formate

Graphene or graphene-like carbon nanosheet (GNS) with excellent properties presents great potential to improve substantially the combined properties of copper matrix composites. However, it is still a great challenge to develop new methods for the preparation of GNS-reinforced copper composites. In this work, high-strength, high-conductivity and low-thermal expansion GNS/Cu composites were prepared by pyrolyzing trimesic acid@copper formate and spark plasma sintering. Both the volume fraction and the order degree of carbon in GNS/Cu composites were improved by the introduction of trimesic acid. The highest tensile and compressive yield strength of GNS/Cu composites are 542 MPa and 637 MPa, respectively. After hot-rolling process, the plastic deformation and the electrical conductivity of the composites are improved effectively and reach 9% and 86.2% IACS, respectively; the average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composite is as low as 12.4 x 10(-6) degrees C-1, which is only 72.9% of pure Cu material. This work provides an effective solution for the design of the GNS/Cu composites with excellent combined performance. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

In this study, high-strength, high-conductivity, and low-thermal expansion GNS/Cu composites were successfully prepared by pyrolysis and spark plasma sintering. The introduction of trimesic acid improved the volume fraction and order degree of carbon in the composites, resulting in excellent combined performance. This work offers an effective solution for the design of GNS/Cu composites with superior properties.