The Research On Copper And Cuprous Oxide Composite Of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is an ideal reinforcement additive for composites because of its inimitable structure and outstanding properties. Metal and metal oxide composites reinforced by CNTs have a lot of potential applications in the future Hi-Tech field, which is research focus in recent years. However, the difficulty in combination of the above two has become the impediment for developing their applications. It is of great significance to develop a novel way in combination method. In this paper, on the basis of modification of CNTs, Cu2O/CNTs and Cu/CNTs composites were fabricated at molecular level combination, and then the microstructure, correlative properties, combination mechanism of the composites were investigated.Firstly, On the basis of gelatin coating, abundant active groups were introduced onto the surface of purified CNTs. Cu2O/CNTs superfine spheres were fabricated in situ by solution method. Then bulk Cu/CNTs composites were abtained by consolidation after reduction of Cu2O/CNTs superfine spheres. Analysis of morphology and testing of properties were carried out. SEM and TEM results indicate that CNTs are embedded in Cu2O spheres homogeneously. Ultraviolet-visible spectrum (UV-vis) results show that the absorption peak of Cu2O matrix was blue shifted by 61 nm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that the decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate (AP) is further decreased by 10.5℃when Cu2O/CNTs composite spheres act as the catalyst. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of bulk Cu/CNTs composites results show that the CTEs of the Cu/CNTs composites exhibit considerable reduction, compared with Cu matrix. Subsequently, the combination mechanism was discussed. The gelatin acts as ligand to catch Cu2+ ions to form a copper complex, then reacts in situ with hydroxyl in the presence of glucose, which serves as a reducing agent. During this process, Cu2+ is reduced to Cu+ and small Cu2O particles nucleate on the surface of CNTs. Further reaction aggregates the small particle to a large one, within which CNTs are implanted.Secondly, after functionalization by ammonia, active groups were introduced onto the surface of purified CNTs. Copper-oxides CNTs powders were prepared by Solation-gelatum (Sol-Gel) process at molecular level combination, and then reduction and consolidation for bulk Cu/CNTs composites were conducted. Subsequently, Analysis of morphology and testing of properties were carried out. SEM results indicate that CNTs dispersed homogeneously in Cu matrix. Properties testing results show that hardness of copper matrix is enhanced by 34.4%, CTEs values of matrix reduced by 23% and heat conductivity retain at a high level. In addition, Cu/CNTs composites prepared by solution method have lower CTEs values, compared with by Sol-Gel method. Also the combination mechanism was analyzed. Functional groups absorb Cu2+ and make it nucleate and grow on the surface of CNTs.