Direct quantification of the effects of titanium on the copper/graphene interfacial strength

Abstract Layered composites with sandwiched structure of copper-titanium/graphene/copper-titanium (CuTi/Gr/CuTi) are designed and synthesized to elucidate the effects of Ti on the Cu/Gr interfacial strength. Compared with the composites without Ti alloying, the as-prepared CuTi/Gr/CuTi exhibits significantly increased interfacial tensile strength from 29.3 ± 8.4 MPa up to 67.6 ± 11.1 MPa. Microstructure examination shows the formation of a large amount of TiC nanoparticles on the Cu/Gr interface, which not only act as second phase to strengthening the interface, but also serve as binder between Cu and Gr to improve the interfacial bonding. In addition, Ti refines the grains of Cu matrix, which is beneficial to enhance the Cu/Gr interfacial strength in the layered composites.