Microstructure and nanoindentation behavior of Cu composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets by electroless co-deposition technique

A reduced graphene oxide/copper (RGO/Cu) composite was fabricated by a surfactant free, electroless co-deposition technique. The graphene oxide (GO) sheets were reduced and RGO homogeneous distributed into the copper matrix. On the basis of nanoindentation, the presence of RGO and the increase of its content in matrix significantly raised the hardness of RGO/Cu composites. Here, the relevant strengthening effect and mechanisms involved in RGO-reinforced Cu composites were systematically evaluated. Especially, the addition of RGO in Cu matrix led to the compressive micro-strain, and the resulted distortion of the lattice parameter was calculated based on Cohen’s method. However, excessive addition of GO in the electrolyte could decrease the mechanical performance due to agglomeration of RGO. Apparently, the optimal concentration for GO dispersion in co-deposition solution was deserved to discuss. After a serious of relative experiments, we could get a conclusion that this method provided a new pathway for embedded graphene into the metal matrix to improve the mechanical properties of RGO-reinforced materials.