Electrochemical behaviour of graphene and alumina whisker co-reinforced copper matrix composites

ABSTRACT

This study prepared copper (Cu) matrix composites with different graphene contents (0∼1.0 wt-%) and an equal amount of alumina (Al₂O₃) whisker by vacuum hot pressing sintering. The microstructures of the Cu/C and Cu/Al₂O₃ interfaces were characterised. The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of the composites was evaluated to study the influence of graphene content on the corrosion performance of the Cu matrix composites. The results showed that incorporating uniformly dispersed graphene with a small amount (∼0.25 wt-%) enables close integration with the Cu matrix, slows down the corrosion rate, and increases the impedance of the composites, thus effectively improving the corrosion resistance of Cu matrix composites. With an increase in graphene content (∼1.0 wt-%), defects tend to generate, leading to the formation of multiple corrosive microcell cavities in the composite, thus accelerating the corrosion of the composite. The Gr/Cu-0.25 composite exhibited better corrosion resistance in acidic, neutral, and alkaline corrosive solutions.

KEYWORDS:

• Copper matrix composite
• graphene
• alumina
• electrochemical behaviour
• interface

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 52101183] and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [grant number 2017M623054], the Sichuan Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Programs [grant number S202211116046].