Preparation and characterization of reduced graphene oxide/copper composites incorporated with nano-SiO2 particles

Reduced graphene oxide/copper (rGO/Cu) composites incorporated with nano-SiO2 particles were successfully fabricated using the raw materials of GO dispersion, hydrophilic nano-SiO2 and electrolytic Cu powder. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Microstructural observation of the composite powders indicated that the graphene oxide (GO) was effectively reduced by N2H4·H2O addition in the composite slurry, and the nano-SiO2 particles and rGO sheets were randomly and completely mixed with Cu particles. The as-sintered composites exhibited the small rGO agglomerations in the Cu matrix, and the more nano-SiO2 additions led to the agglomerations increase. The mechanical property testing revealed that rGO/Cu composites with nano-SiO2 incorporation exhibited the higher hardness and strength, compared with the rGO/Cu composite and as-cast pure Cu. However, the strengthening in the composites with higher SiO2 content accompanied with the expense of compressive ductility. Microstructural formation and strengthening mechanism of the composites are also discussed in details.