Abstract The interface reaction is the focus of interface control in the graphene/Al composites, but its evolution processes are still unclear. The present work revealed the nucleation and growth mechanisms of the interfacial reaction product, aluminum carbide (Al4C3), in the graphene nanosheet (GNS)/Al composites. The nucleation of Al4C3 was found to mainly start at the open edge of GNSs due to the high chemical reactivity, and the formed Al4C3 was found to mostly locate either along or at an angle to the Al grain boundary, e.g. (i) ∼25° angle between Al4C3 (003) and Al (-111); (ii) Al4C3 (003)//Al (1-11); (iii) Al4C3 (003)//Al (002); (iv) Al4C3 (003)//Al (2-20). The growth of Al4C3 was controlled by the diffusional growth parallel to (003) plane and the nucleation growth perpendicular to (003) plane. Besides, the possible intermediate states, the C–Al interfacial transition zone, and the interfacial reaction transition phase were also observed. This work provides a theoretical basis for the further tailoring of interface bonding and property improvements of graphene/Al composites.

中文翻译：

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石墨烯纳米片/铝复合材料中界面碳化物的成核和生长机制

摘要 界面反应是石墨烯/铝复合材料界面控制的重点，但其演化过程尚不清楚。目前的工作揭示了界面反应产物碳化铝 (Al4C3) 在石墨烯纳米片 (GNS)/Al 复合材料中的成核和生长机制。由于高化学反应性，发现 Al4C3 的成核主要开始于 GNSs 的开放边缘，并且发现形成的 Al4C3 大部分位于沿或与 Al 晶界成一定角度的位置，例如 (i) ~25° Al4C3 (003) 和 Al (-111) 之间的夹角；(ii) Al4C3(003)//Al(1-11)；(iii) Al4C3(003)//Al(002)；(iv) Al4C3(003)//Al(2-20)。Al4C3 的生长受平行于 (003) 面的扩散生长和垂直于 (003) 面的成核生长控制。此外，可能的中间状态，还观察到 C-Al 界面过渡区和界面反应过渡相。该工作为进一步定制石墨烯/铝复合材料的界面结合和性能改进提供了理论基础。