Study of structure of Mn3Cu0.5Ge0.5N/Cu composite with nearly zero thermal expansion behavior around room temperature

An Mn3Cu0.5Ge0.5N/Cu composite was synthesized with 50 wt.% Cu and 50 wt.% Mn3Cu0.5Ge0.5N. The composite has a nearly zero thermal expansion behavior around room temperature and consists of Cu, Mn3Cu0.5Ge0.5N with a small number of MnO particles. There are no chemical reactions between these phases and the thermal expansion property of the composite is stable. Based on the distribution of Cu and Mn3Cu0.5Ge0.5N phases in the composite, we built a structure model to clarify the stability of Mn3Cu0.5Ge0.5N/Cu composite.