Fabrication, microstructure and properties of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets reinforced Cu composites

Dispersed Ti3C2Tx MXene particle with various mass contents reinforced Cu matrix composites were fabricated by ball-mill mixing and hot pressing sintering. The effect of Ti3C2Tx incorporation on the microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological properties of the Cu–Ti3C2Tx composites was investigated. The results show that the sintered Cu–Ti3C2Tx composites consisted of Ti3C2Tx, Cu and small amount of TiC phase, which derived from Ti3C2Tx during the sintering process. The microhardness of Cu–Ti3C2Tx composites was increases with the increase of Ti3C2Tx content, reaching almost twice as much as that of pure Cu with 15 wt% of Ti3C2Tx. The tensile strength of the composite added 3 wt% Ti3C2Tx increased to 202 MPa, 16% higher than that of pure Cu (174 MPa), which was mainly attributed to the strengthening effect of Ti3C2Tx and TiC. Simultaneously, the addition of Ti3C2Tx can effectively improve the tribological properties of Cu matrix. The Cu-15 wt% Ti3C2Tx composites registered the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate of 0.27 and 4 × 10−5 mm3 N−1 m−1, respectively, which is attributed to the formation of easy-to-shear Ti3C2Tx lubricating film on the worn surface.