Ultrasound assisted electroplating of nano-composite thin film of Cu matrix with electrochemically in-house synthesized few layer graphene nano-sheets as reinforcement

In the current study, the copper-graphene nano-composites were synthesized onto stainless steel substrates by electrodeposition method using CuSO4 and H2SO4 electrolyte containing varying graphene concentrations of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 g/l. The graphene used in the current study has been fabricated in-house by electrochemical exfoliation technique. The as obtained graphene was found to consist of few layers and was partially functionalized too. Pure Cu thin films were then electroplated onto the same substrate but at different temperatures to decide the deposition temperature for electroplating of nano composites. Then after synthesis of the composite films were carried out at 15 degrees C and compared in both silent and ultrasonic stirring conditions. The distribution of graphene in the Cu matrix was found to be better in presence of ultrasound as witnessed from the structural and micro-graphical analysis. Furthermore the micro and nano-mechanical as well as electrical resistivity properties of the composites were also measured to evaluate the performance of the films. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.