Preparation of electro-reduced graphene oxide/copper composite foils with simultaneously enhanced thermal and mechanical properties by DC electro-deposition method

Abstract Direct current electro-deposition is a promising method to synthesis graphene oxide (GO) reinforced copper matrix composites with improved comprehensive property. The microstructure of deposited material largely determines the properties of composites. Here, the effect of current density and GO concentration in electrolyte on microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties of the fabricated composites by electro-deposition were systematically investigated. With optimization of current density and the GO concentration, GO was highly reduced and uniformly dispersed in copper matrix. Compared with pure copper foil, the thermal conductivity of the composite foil was up to 503.39 W m−1 K−1, the maximum hardness reached 3.32 GPa and the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the composite foil were increased by 22.8% and 2.8% respectively. The simultaneously enhancement in thermal and mechanical properties of the composites can be ascribed to the positive role of GO reinforcement in microstructure refinement and its partly reduction during electro-deposition.