Facile synthesis of graphene reinforced Al matrix composites with improved dispersion of graphene and enhanced mechanical properties

In this work, a new route for preparation of graphene reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites with enhanced dispersion and strength has been discussed based on aqueous suspension mixing procedure. Mg2+ ions added into mixture were used as binding bridge that anchored graphene sheets to the surface of Al powder, improving affinity and binding capacity of graphene sheets with Al matrix. Graphene nanosheets have double dispersion behaviors on Al matrix with increasing of Mg2+ concentration following colloidal theory (DLVO theory and Schulze-Hardy rule). Although composite billet consolidated through spark plasma sintering (SPS) has only 3 wt% content of graphene, but it was significantly reinforced in strength affected by the dispersion degree of graphene on composite matrix.