Abstract Corrosion protection of metals is of great importance due to their widespread use. Graphene (Gr) has shown promising corrosion resistance as a coating for metals, however, its excellent strengthening effect that has been widely shown is suppressed in such coating applications. Here, inspired by positive anti-corrosion role of graphene coating for metal macro-foils, graphene encapsulated Cu (Cu@Gr) micro-/nano-flakes are designed and fabricated, and then used as building blocks for assembling bulk Gr/Cu composites. Thanks to its protective role and strengthening effect of uniformly dispersed graphene in Cu matrix, as compared to bare copper, corrosion rate of the as-fabricated bulk Gr/Cu composites is reduced by 50% in NaCl solution and its yield strength is increased by ∼180% (2.5 vol% Gr) simultaneously, without deterioration on electrical conductivity. The anti-corrosion mechanisms are understood by studying etching behavior of the Cu@Gr flakes in FeCl3 solution, and surface morphology evolution in the samples subjected to salt spray corrosion, and electrochemical corrosion tests. Graphene's anti-corrosion effect is also reflected by an anisotropic corrosion behavior of the Gr/Cu composite because of a “brick-and-mortar” microstructure. The results presented here shed light on expanding metal matrix composite's applications to a wider range and more complex situation by incorporating graphene.

中文翻译：

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由石墨烯包封的铜纳米薄片组装而成的金属基复合材料具有增强的耐腐蚀性

摘要 金属的腐蚀防护由于其广泛使用而具有重要意义。石墨烯 (Gr) 作为金属涂层显示出良好的耐腐蚀性，然而，其广泛显示的优异强化效果在此类涂层应用中受到抑制。在这里，受石墨烯涂层对金属大箔的积极防腐作用的启发，设计和制造了石墨烯包封的 Cu（Cu@Gr）微/纳米薄片，然后用作组装块状 Gr/Cu 复合材料的构建块. 由于石墨烯在铜基体中均匀分散的保护作用和强化作用，与裸铜相比，制备的块状 Gr/Cu 复合材料在 NaCl 溶液中的腐蚀速率降低了 50%，其屈服强度提高了 ∼ 180% (2.5 vol% Gr) 同时，不降低导电性。通过研究 Cu@Gr 薄片在 FeCl3 溶液中的蚀刻行为、经受盐雾腐蚀和电化学腐蚀测试的样品的表面形貌演变，了解抗腐蚀机制。由于“实体”微观结构，石墨烯的防腐效果也反映在 Gr/Cu 复合材料的各向异性腐蚀行为上。这里展示的结果阐明了通过结合石墨烯将金属基复合材料的应用扩展到更广泛和更复杂的情况。由于“实体”微观结构，石墨烯的防腐效果也反映在 Gr/Cu 复合材料的各向异性腐蚀行为上。这里展示的结果阐明了通过结合石墨烯将金属基复合材料的应用扩展到更广泛和更复杂的情况。由于“实体”微观结构，石墨烯的防腐效果也反映在 Gr/Cu 复合材料的各向异性腐蚀行为上。这里展示的结果阐明了通过结合石墨烯将金属基复合材料的应用扩展到更广泛和更复杂的情况。