Preparation of copper-graphite composite particles by milling process

The fabrication of copper-graphite composites by a milling process was investigated using a centrifugal ball mill. The copper particles were homogeneously milled in a graphite vessel, and the reaction time was varied. Scanning electron microscopy images clearly revealed that a fragment of graphite ground by the copper particle adheres to the copper particle surface, indicating the formation of a copper-graphite composite. The composite graphite amount per 1 g of copper particles increased to 0.46 mg at the milling time 5 min, and subsequently decreased to 0.25 mg at 60 min, indicating the suitable milling-time for the interfacial adhesion. When using only the copper particles, the naturally oxidized layer on the surface decreased with milling. On the other hand, when using only the graphite, the characteristic graphite structure is disrupted and the defect structure increased with milling. Thus, the new copper surface generated by milling strongly reacts with the defect structure of the graphite. It is suggested that the interfacial bonding between the copper and graphite was attributed to a Van der Waals attraction and/or binding force due to oxygen atoms located at the interface.