An exploration on the use of in-house synthesized reduced few layer graphene particles as a reinforcement during sono-electroplating of Cu matrix composite films

Abstract In this report, few-layer graphene particles (FLGPs) were synthesized through electrochemical exfoliation technique and were further reduced by reagents like hydrazine hydrate and ascorbic acid. The reduced FLGPs (RFLGPs) were characterized by XRD, FTIR spectrscopy, FESEM, and TEM. The prepared RFLGPs were used as reinforcement with different concentration of 0.1 g/L, 0.3 g/L and 0.5 g/L in copper matrix to form Cu-RFLGPs composite by electrodeposition method. The morphological structure and mechanical properties of Cu-RFLGPs composite films were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, AFM and hardness analysis. The Cu-RFLGPs composite of 0.5 g/l RFLGPs shows 38% higher hardness as compared to pure copper thin film. The corrosion behaviour of Cu-RFLGPs samples has also been analyzed by three electrode cell setup. The corrosion rate of 0.5 g/L Cu-RFLGPs sheet shows 50% more corrosion resistance in 3.5% sodium chloride solution as compared to pure copper thin films and hence can be explored as an anticorrosive coating for sea water applications.