Ag/graphene composite based on high-quality graphene with high electrical and mechanical properties

A simple and effective process has been reported to prepare the silver(Ag)/graphene composite with excellent mechanical and electrical properties based on high-quality graphene(HQG).The HQG was fabricated via hot pressing of reduced graphene oxide(RGO) from chemical exfoliation,while the Ag/HQG composite was obtained by using spark plasma sintering(SPS) treatment under high temperature(1500℃) and moderate pressure(40 MPa).With low oxygen-containing functional groups and defect density,the HQG dispersed homogeneously in the composite after high-energy ball milling.In comparison to pure Ag,the as-prepared Ag/RGO composite exhibited a great enhancement of 11% electrical conductivity and 42% micro-hardness with an optimal RGO adding content(1 wt%).The Ag/HQG composite is expected to open up a new way for the novel Ag-based electrical contact materials,and further to broaden its applications in micro-electronics and switching power.