Simultaneously achieving homogeneous dispersion and appropriate interfacial adhesion is the foremost concern for designing high-performance carbon nanotube (CNT)/Al matrix composites. Herein, a strategy for surface modification was developed to fabricate uniform CNT/Al composites with enhanced interfacial strength. Small quantities of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were locally adhered to the surface of functionalized CNTs by electrostatic self-assembly, thereby promoting the adsorption of high concentrations of CNTs onto Al powders and hindering the agglomeration of CNTs. After densification, the CNTs retained their structural integrity and exhibited both individual distribution and unidirectional alignment in the matrix. As revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles promoted a large elastic buckling of the nanotube inner wall and formed a curved, stable contact with the CNTs, producing strong anchors at the CNT-Al interface. Consequently, the CNT-Al₂O₃/Al composites exhibited enhanced mechanical properties compared with the CNT/Al composites, while maintaining superior electrical conductivity. This work demonstrates the great potential of surface decoration in producing advanced CNT/metal composites in electrical applications.

在设计高性能碳纳米管（CNT）/ Al基复合材料时，最重要的问题是要同时实现均匀分散和适当的界面粘合。本文中，开发了用于表面改性的策略以制造具有增强的界面强度的均匀CNT / Al复合材料。少量的Al ₂ O ₃纳米颗粒通过静电自组装局部粘附在官能化CNT的表面上，从而促进了高浓度CNT在Al粉上的吸附并阻碍了CNT的团聚。致密化后，CNT保持其结构完整性，并在基质中表现出单独的分布和单向排列。如高分辨率透射电子显微镜所揭示的，铝₂ O ₃纳米颗粒促进了纳米管内壁的大弹性屈曲，并与CNT形成了弯曲，稳定的接触，从而在CNT-Al界面处产生了牢固的锚固。因此，与CNT / Al复合材料相比，CNT-Al ₂ O ₃ / Al复合材料显示出增强的机械性能，同时保持了优异的导电性。这项工作证明了表面装饰在电气应用中生产高级CNT /金属复合材料的巨大潜力。