Effect of three types of surfactants on fabrication of Cu-coated graphite powders

Cu-coated graphite powders were fabricated by electrodeposition using a device that we developed in our lab. The effect of different type surfactants on the dispersion and stability of graphite particles in a copper sulfate electrolyte was investigated by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The electrochemical behavior of the stainless steel cathode plate and graphite particles were examined by linear sweep voltammetry. It shows that surfactants improved dispersion and stability of graphite particles in electrolyte, produced different electrochemical polarization behaviors on graphite surface and cathodic stainless plate, respectively. In the presence of surfactants, copper was apt to be deposited on graphite particle surface. The optimum surfactant content in electrolyte is 150 mg dm−3 for all of three types of surfactants. Hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) is the most effective surfactant for improving the quality of copper coated graphite powders among the three type surfactants.

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► Developed a new Cu electroplating method on graphite particles.
► Researched influence of surfactants on dispersion and stability of graphite particles in electrolyte.
► Studied effect of surfactants on electrochemical behaviors on graphite and stainless steel electrodes, respectively.
► Established optimum surfactant and its dosage in electrolyte.