The incorporation of low-dimensional nanofillers into 3D metal matrix is promising to translate their excellent properties from nanoscale to the macroscopic world. However, the design of firm nanocarbons and efficacious fabrication of such advanced composites remain challenging. In this paper, we report an optimized strategy of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for reinforcing copper by combining the use of electroless deposition (ED), spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot-rolling. We finished a perfect match of enhanced yield strength, high plasticity, and good electrical conductivity (e.g. 264 MPa, 29%, 96.6% IACS for 1 vol% CNTs/Cu) in 3D bulks, which is attributed to inherent properties and strong interfacial bonding. In addition, the particularly aligned arrays of CNTs contributed to the transfer stress from the matrix without sacrificing ductility and conductivity. We revealed the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of CNTs in the CNTs/Cu composite through the dislocation theory. This study provides a new approach for the designing and fabricating of novel low-dimensional nanomaterials into 3D metal matrix.

将低维纳米填料结合到3D金属基质中有望将其优异的性能从纳米级转变为宏观世界。然而，牢固的纳米碳的设计和这种先进复合材料的有效制造仍然具有挑战性。在本文中，我们报告了通过结合使用化学沉积（ED），火花等离子体烧结（SPS）和热轧来增强铜的碳纳米管（CNT）的优化策略。我们完成了3D块体中增强的屈服强度，高可塑性和良好的导电性（例如264 MPa，29％，96.6％IACS（1％体积的CNTs / Cu）的完美匹配），这归因于其固有的性能和牢固的界面结合。此外，特别排列的CNT阵列有助于在不牺牲延展性和导电性的情况下从基体传递应力。通过位错理论揭示了碳纳米管/铜复合物中碳纳米管的强化和增韧机理。这项研究为将新型低维纳米材料设计和制造成3D金属基质提供了一种新方法。