Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes/Cu Nanocomposites Processed by Using Nano-sized Cu Powders

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted remarkable attention as reinforcement for composites owing to their outstanding properties1-3. CNT/Cu nanocomposites were fabricated by mixing the nano-sized Cu powders with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and followed by the spark plasma sintering process. The CNT/Cu nanocomposite fabricated from nano-sized Cu powders shows more homogeneous distribution of CNTs in matrix compared to that fabricated from macro-sized Cu powders. The hardness of CNT/Cu nanocomposite fabricated from nano-sized Cu powders increases with increasing the volume fraction of CNTs, while the hardness of that fabricated from macro-sized Cu powders decreases with the addition of CNTs.