Preparation of graphene/Al composites with a lamellar structure by silane cross-linking graphene oxide

Abstract In this study, the silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) was used to cross-link graphene oxide (GO) to large-sized films, and further to prepare nacre-like structure graphene/aluminum (Al) composites. The results show that APS was successfully grafted onto the GO, forming large continuous GO films, which were then attached to the surface of the Al flakes by semi-powder metallurgy. After hot pressing, the graphene/Al composites had a lamellar structure consisted of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Al. In addition, the interface was well bonded without defects and Al4C3 phase. Compared with the pure Al prepared under the same condition, the compressive strength, maximum compression ratio and hardness of the 0.15 wt.% graphene/Al composites increased by 58%, 23% and 64.8%, respectively. The approach of cross-linking GO through chemical modification can be applied to the design of other bioinspired materials.