Preparation and electrical conductivity of graphitic carbon-infused copper alloys
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Research Letter
Preparation and electrical conductivity of graphitic carbon-infused copper alloys B. Ma , U. Balachandran, S.E. Dorris, and T.H. Lee, Applied Materials Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA A.J. Rondinone, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA Address all correspondence to B. Ma at [email protected] (Received 12 November 2018; accepted 16 January 2019)
Abstract By electron-beam (e-beam) melting, we prepared 0.4 wt% carbon-infused copper (CuCv4), and a copper control without carbon addition (CuCv0). Scanning electron microscopy and helium ion microscopy (HIM) were performed on the as-solidified surface, fracture surface, and ion-polished surface of the CuCv4 sample. The results revealed that graphitic carbon flakes cover the as-solidified surface, and carbon nanoparticles and clusters exist in the fracture and ion-polished surfaces. HIM on the ion-polished surface revealed a unique ripple-shaped feature, which is possibly associated with the infusion of carbon nanoribbons in the copper matrix. The bulk densities were measured to be 8.86 and 8.53 g/cm3, which correspond to relative densities of 98.9% and 96.4% for the CuCv0 and CuCv4 samples, respectively. In addition, apparent electrical conductivities were measured to be 56.9 and 57.5 MS/m, respectively, for the e-beam melted CuCv0 and CuCv4 samples. These values correspond to true electrical conductivities of 100.5% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) and 107.4% IACS after correction for the porosity. Our results reveal remarkable promise of using covetic copper for the next generation conductors in energy applications from microelectronic devices to high-power transmission cables.
Carbon can form many different allotropes due to the flexibility of its valence. Two well-known allotropes of carbon that naturally exist are diamond and graphite. In the past decades, increased research has focused on carbon balls such as buckminsterfullerene, carbon sheets such as graphene, and other larger-scale structures of carbon such as nanotubes, nanobuds, and nanoribbons.[1–6] So far, over 200 different allotropes of carbon have been reported.[5] Recently, a new class of material known as “covetics” has emerged.[7–9] Covetics are prepared by incorporating carbon nanostructures into metal matrices through melting and electrical infusion.[9] This new class of materials is potentially a game changer for materials scientists and engineers who have long sought to combine lightweight and high-conductivity carbon with metal to enhance material performance. Enhanced electrical and thermal conductivities were reported for base metal covetics.[9–11] In particular, Salamanca-Riba et al.[10] and Jaim et al.[11] reported carbon-nanostructure-infused silver and aluminum materials that exhibit high electrical and thermal conductivities. Balachandran et al.[9,12] reported the enhanced electrical and thermal properties of copper covetic materials and thin films. Incorporation of a carbon nanostru
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