Graphene reinforced aluminum nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization and properties

• Published in: Journal of materials science 2022-05, Vol.57 (18), p.8544-8556
• Main Authors: Palei, Binod Bihari, Dash, Tapan, Biswal, Susanta Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced Nanomaterials; Aluminum; Analysis; Ball milling; Bilayers; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Crystallography and Scattering Methods; Diffraction; Diffraction patterns; Electric properties; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Electron microscopes; Electron microscopy; Field emission microscopy; Field emission spectroscopy; Graphene; Graphite; Industrial applications; Inert atmospheres; Materials Science; Microhardness; Nanocomposites; Particulate composites; Photoelectrons; Polymer Sciences; Powder metallurgy; Raman spectroscopy; Sintering; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Solid Mechanics; Spectrum analysis; Toluene; Transmission electron microscopes; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction; X-ray spectroscopy; X-rays
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-022-07043-9

Novel composites of Al–graphene (0.1–0.3 wt%) have been prepared by powder metallurgical processing. Powder composites were prepared by planetary ball milling route in toluene medium by 5 h of milling under inert atmosphere. Then, optimized high density compacted samples (prepared at 120 MPa) were sintered at 550 °C for 5 h. Various characterization of composites was done by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), selected area diffraction pattern (SAED), micro-Raman spectroscopy, electrical conductivity, and microhardness to obtain an Al–graphene composite with improved microhardness and electrical conductivity. Graphene was found in bi-layer form in the typical sample aluminum–graphene (0.2 wt%) composite. Purity of samples confirmed from EDS analysis showing only peaks of Al and C. XRD, XPS, HRTEM, and SAED studies establish the successful formation of Al and graphene composite. The typical aluminum–graphene (0.2 wt%) sample show significantly higher electrical conductivity (59.2 × 10 6 S/m) and microhardness (165 ± 08 VHN) values than that of pure aluminum, which shows electrical conductivity and microhardness values of 38.0 × 10 6  S/m and 65 ± 05 VHN, respectively. The results further advance electrical as well as structural, industrial applications of aluminum.