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Mu CAO, et al.
Graphene-Metal Conductors

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019AdvFM..2906792C/abstract
Ultrahigh Electrical Conductivity of Graphene Embedded in Metals
Cao, Mu, et al

Abstract -- Highly efficient conductors are strongly desired because they can lead to higher working performance and less energy consumption in their wide range applications. However, the improvements on the electrical conductivities of conventional conductors are limited, such as purification and growing single crystal of metals. Here, by embedding graphene in metals (Cu, Al, and Ag), the trade-off between carrier mobility and carrier density is surmount in graphene, and realize high electron mobility and high electron density simultaneously through elaborate interface design and morphology control. As a result, a maximum electrical conductivity three orders of magnitude higher than the highest on record (more than 3,000 times higher than that of Cu) is obtained in such embedded graphene. As a result, using the graphene as reinforcement, an electrical conductivity as high as ≈117% of the International Annealed Copper Standard and significantly higher than that of Ag is achieved in bulk graphene/Cu composites with an extremely low graphene volume fraction of only 0.008%. The results are of significance when enhancing efficiency and saving energy in electrical and electronic applications of metals, and also of interest for fundamental researches on electron behaviors in graphene.


https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adfm.201806792
Ultrahigh Electrical Conductivity of Graphene Embedded in Metals
Mu Cao, Ding-Bang Xiong, Li Yang, Shuaishuai Li, Yiqun Xie, Qiang Guo, Zhiqiang Li, Horst Adams, Jiajun Gu, Tongxiang Fan, Xiaohui Zhang, Di Zhang

Abstract -- Highly efficient conductors are strongly desired because they can lead to higher working performance and less energy consumption in their wide range applications. However, the improvements on the electrical conductivities of conventional conductors are limited, such as purification and growing single crystal of metals. Here, by embedding graphene in metals (Cu, Al, and Ag), the trade-off between carrier mobility and carrier density is surmount in graphene, and realize high electron mobility and high electron density simultaneously through elaborate interface design and morphology control. As a result, a maximum electrical conductivity three orders of magnitude higher than the highest on record (more than 3,000 times higher than that of Cu) is obtained in such embedded graphene. As a result, using the graphene as reinforcement, an electrical conductivity as high as ≈117% of the International Annealed Copper Standard and significantly higher than that of Ag is achieved in bulk graphene/Cu composites with an extremely low graphene volume fraction of only 0.008%. The results are of significance when enhancing efficiency and saving energy in electrical and electronic applications of metals, and also of interest for fundamental researches on electron behaviors in graphene.

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1002%2Fadfm.201806792&file=adfm201806792-sup-0001-S1.pdf
Supporting Information

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adem.202401950
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity of Graphene/Copper Composites and Their Applications in High-Efficiency Current-Carrying Conductors: A Review
Simeng Zhong, Xiaoting Zhang, Aimin Liu, Bingyi Zhang

Abstract -- With the ongoing global energy transition and rapid technological advancements, the demand for high-efficiency systems in the power industry continues to grow. As a core component of electrical energy transmission within such systems, the enhancement of current-carrying conductor performance has become a focal point for achieving technological breakthroughs. However, conventional current-carrying materials, such as copper, are increasingly constrained by inherent performance limitations. Renowned for its exceptional electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, graphene has emerged as a promising reinforcement phase for copper-based composites, providing a pathway to overcome these limitations and enhance material performance. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various fabrication techniques for graphene/copper (Gr/Cu) composites, systematically elucidates the intrinsic mechanisms underlying their enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, and explores the key factors influencing their performance. By summarizing recent research findings and advancements in the application of high-efficiency current-carrying conductors in the power industry, this study offers theoretical support for the feasibility of Gr/Cu composites in improving the efficiency and reliability of conductors. Additionally, it provides an outlook on future developments in performance optimization and large-scale production of these materials to meet the application demands of high-efficiency systems.

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adfm.202407569
Effects of Graphene Doping on the Electrical Conductivity of Copper
Chenmu Zhang, Zhongcan Xiao, Rachel Paddock, Michael Cullinan, Mehran Tehrani, Yuanyue Liu

Abstract -- There is great interest in developing advanced electrical conductors with higher conductivity, lighter weight, and higher mechanical strength than copper (Cu). One promising candidate is copper-graphene (Cu-Gr) composite, which is hypothesized to have a higher electrical conductivity than Cu. In this work, it is shown that this is not true, supported by state-of-the-art first-principles calculations of electron transport. Particularly, contrary to the belief that graphene in the composite is more conductive than pristine Cu, it is less conductive due to increased scattering despite increased carrier concentration. On the other hand, it is found that compressive strain along the (111) plane increases the conductivity, which is confirmed experimentally, while tensile strain has little effect. The work offers new insights into understanding and developing advanced conductors.

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/10/1117
Wenjie Liu, Xingyu Zhao, Hongliang Li, Yi Ding,
Research Progress on the Preparation and Properties of Graphene–Copper Composites, Metals, 10.3390/met15101117, 15, 10, (1117), (2025).

Abstract -- The persistent conflict between strength and electrical conductivity in copper-based materials presents a fundamental limitation for next-generation high-performance applications. Graphene, with its unique two-dimensional architecture and exceptional intrinsic characteristics, has become a promising reinforcement phase for copper matrices. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent advancements in graphene–copper composites (CGCs), focusing particularly on structural design innovations and scalable manufacturing approaches such as powder metallurgy, molecular-level mixing, electrochemical deposition, and chemical vapor deposition. The analysis examines pathways for optimizing key properties—including mechanical strength, thermal conduction, and electrical performance—while investigating the fundamental reinforcement mechanisms and charge/heat transport phenomena. Special consideration is given to how graphene morphology, concentration, structural quality, interfacial chemistry, and processing conditions collectively determine composite behavior. Significant emphasis is placed on interface engineering strategies, graphene alignment, consolidation control, and defect management to minimize electron and phonon scattering while improving stress transfer efficiency. The review concludes by proposing research directions to resolve the strength–conductivity paradox and broaden practical implementation domains, thereby offering both methodological frameworks and theoretical foundations to support the industrial adoption of high-performance CGCs.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359835X25004944?via%3Dihub
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume 199, December 2025, 109200
Constructing harmonic grain distribution in graphene-reinforced Cu matrix composites for enhanced strength and electrical conductivity
Junrui Huang, Jiajing Liu, Yubo Zhang, Xi Yang a, Xin Sun, Shanhao Du, Tingju Li, Tongmin Wang

Abstract -- Graphene-reinforced copper matrix (Gr/Cu) composites typically exhibit high strength and electrical conductivity, with graphene playing a vital role in enhancing electrical conductivity. In this study, Gr/Cu composites with a novel harmonic grain structure were fabricated via in-situ graphene growth and hot-press sintering, and the synergistic effects of the Gr-network and Cu grains on the conductivity were systematically investigated. The harmonic unit consists of fine grains surrounding coarse grains, which is constructed by Gr-network distribution and grain growth. With an optimal harmonic configuration, the Gr/Cu composite achieves exceptional electrical conductivity of 102.70 % IACS, an ultimate tensile strength of 332.64 MPa, and an elongation of 28 %. The continuous three-dimensional Gr-network is crucial for ensuring superior electrical conductivity. Additionally, the harmonic structure minimizes carrier scattering and facilitates improved electrical conductivity. The unique grain distribution in the harmonic configuration also promotes strain delocalization and micro-crack blunting, leading to simultaneous improvements in physical and mechanical properties. These findings highlight the critical role of matrix microstructure and its cascading effect on electrical conductivity, providing a theoretical foundation for advancing conductive mechanisms in metal matrix composites (MMCs).

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359835X25004312?via%3Dihub
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume 198, November 2025, 109137
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
In-situ synthesis nitrogen-doped graphene/Cu composites with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties
Changsheng Xing a, Tong Zhang, Miao Wang Zhendong Shi, Yunzhong Wu, Jie Sheng, Lidong Wang, Weidong Fei

Abstract -- For graphene/metal composites, both the synthesis of graphene and the interfacial bonding with the metal matrix are crucial for determining overall performance. In this study, in-situ nitrogen-doped graphene/Cu composites were successfully fabricated using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the carbon source, and the effects of PAN-derived graphene on composite microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrical performance were systematically investigated. The results show that an optimal PAN content of 0.25 wt% promotes the formation of high-quality in-situ graphene, which simultaneously strengthens the copper matrix and improves electrical stability. On the mechanical side, the composite showed a yield strength of 408 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa, with increases of 63 % and 42 %, respectively, compared to pure copper. This enhancement is primarily attributed to dislocation strengthening, grain refinement, and load transfer, with graphene reinforcing the composite by restricting dislocation motion, impeding grain growth, and providing the intrinsic high strength of graphene. On the electrical side, the composite maintained a high room-temperature electrical conductivity of 94.2 % IACS while achieving a reduced temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of 3.68 × 10-3 K−1, which results from the high intrinsic conductivity and negative TCR of graphene. These findings highlight the dual role of PAN-derived graphene in enhancing both the mechanical and electrical properties, offering valuable insights into the development of high-performance graphene/metal composites for industrial applications.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359835X24003427
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume 185, October 2024, 108345
The electrical conductivity mechanism of Graphene/Copper composite fabricated by one-step pulsed electrodeposition
Jiani Yu, Lidong Wang, Yekang Guan , Bin Shao, Yingying Zong

Abstract -- Copper plays a key role in electronics, energy, and so on. However, copper faces the challenge of increasing resistivity with increasing temperature. To overcome this problem, graphene was introduced into copper to prepare graphene/copper (Gr/Cu) composites. Here, we report on the preparation of Gr/Cu-Cu wires and Gr/Cu foil by pulse electrodeposition (P-EP). The electrical conductivity of the Gr/Cu foil was 3.8 % IACS higher than that of pure Cu foil under 180 °C. Graphene plays a crucial role in providing an electron transfer path in the Gr/Cu composite to improve the electrical conductivity under high temperatures. The P-EP process can not only effectively reduce the raw GO, but also introduce nitrogen into graphene which further promotes the transfer of electrons from copper to graphene. These results suggest that Gr/Cu composites have promising prospects for applications at high temperatures and could potentially replace traditional pure Cu.

https://hal.science/hal-04314387v1/document
Fabrication and characterization of copper and copper alloys reinforced with graphene
Antoine Bident, et al

Abstract -- The consistent rise in current density within electrical wires leads to progressively more substantial heat losses attributed to the Joule effect. Consequently, mitigating the electrical resistivity of copper wires becomes imperative. To attain this objective, the development of a composite material that incorporates a more conductive reinforcement, like graphene, holds great promise. The conception of a copper/graphene composite using a powder metallurgy-based approach is presented. An optimum graphene quantity of 0.06 vol.% was obtained by calculation in order to limit the phenomenon of overlapping layers. This synthesis technique enables the dispersion of graphene and the meticulous control of the interface through the growth of CuO(Cu) nanoparticles that are tightly bonded to the reinforcement. The increase in the hardness
of the various materials with separation of the graphene sheets by ultrasonic treatment (55.3 to 67.6 HV) was obtained. It is an indicator of the correct distribution of the reinforcement. The influence on the electrical properties of dendritic copper (ρe = 2.30 μV.cm) remains limited, resulting in a modest reduction in electrical resistance of around 1.4%. Nevertheless, for flake copper (2.71 μV.cm) and brass (7.66 μV.cm), we achieved a more substantial reduction of 2.7% and 10%, respectively. With the improvement of graphene quality, there exists a greater potential for further enhancing the electrical properties.

Patents

CN110079785 -- Preparation method of copper-based graphene composite material and copper-based graphene composite material
[ PDF ] [ Translation ]

Abstract -- The invention provides a preparation method of a copper-based graphene composite material. The preparation method of the copper-based graphene composite material comprises the following steps: pretreating an original plate-shaped copper base by an electrochemical polishing process to obtain a pretreated copper base, wherein the thickness of the original plate-shaped copper base is 5 to 25 microns;growing graphene on the upper surface and the lower surface of the pretreated copper base by a chemical vapor deposition process to obtain graphene coated copper bases; and performing hot pressed sintering treatment on at least one graphene coated copper base to obtain the copper-based graphene composite material, wherein the copper-based graphene composite material is a layered composite material formed by alternately compounding graphene and the copper base, and the copper base is in a single crystalline state in the thickness direction of the copper-based graphene composite material and takes on predominant crystal orientation (111). By the preparation method of the copper-based graphene composite material provided by the invention, the copper-based graphene composite material with high conductivity can be prepared.

CN108149046 -- High strength, high conductivity graphene/copper nanocomposite material and preparation method and application thereof
[ PDF ] [ Translation ]

Abstract -- The invention relates to a high strength, high conductivity graphene/copper nanocomposite material and a preparation method and application thereof. A copper matrix of the composite material is uniformly distributed in three-dimensional nanometer scale, the scale is between 10-100 nm, preferably, 30nm-80nm; and graghene is of a three-dimensional interconnection network structure in the composite material, and the number of average layers is 1-100. The obtained graphene/copper nanocomposite material has the characteristics of high strength, high modulus and high conductivity, and can be used asvarious types of conductive materials.

CN106584976 -- High-conductivity graphene/copper-based layered composite material and preparation method thereof
[ PDF ] [ Translation ]

Abstract -- The invention discloses a high-conductivity graphene/copper-based layered composite material and a preparation method thereof. The composite material is characterized in that the composite material is of a layered structure formed by alternate combination of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene and a copper substrate, the copper substrate is in a single-crystal state in the thickness direction in layers, and the (111) crystal face high-orientation effect is achieved. The method includes the following steps that (1) graphene is grown on the upper surface and the lower surface of the platy copper substrate through a CVD technology and the copper substrate is induced to achieve preferred orientation along a (111) crystal face, and the sandwich-shaped graphene-cladding copper substrate is obtained through preparation; and (2) multiple pieces of graphene-cladding copper substrates are subjected to hot pressed sintering densification to form the high-conductivity graphene/copper-based layered composite material. The layered composite material prepared by the method is high in conductivity, higher than pure silver in conduction level and easy to produce and can be used as various conduction materials.

CN120553696 --  Method for preparing graphene composite material based on catalytic modification of cerium dioxide
[ PDF ] [ Translation ]

Abstract -- The invention belongs to the technical field of graphene preparation, and particularly discloses a method for preparing a graphene composite material based on catalytic modification of cerium dioxide, and the method comprises the following steps: pretreating a copper substrate; the preparation method comprises the following steps: adding cerium dioxide nanoparticles and a dispersing agent into deionized water, and then ultrasonically dispersing uniformly to obtain a cerium dioxide suspension; immersing the pretreated copper substrate into the cerium dioxide suspension, then pulling the copper substrate to form a cerium dioxide coating on the surface of the copper substrate, and then standing and drying for later use; and S3, the copper substrate with the cerium dioxide coating on the surface in the step S3 is placed in a reaction chamber, then vacuumizing is conducted, the temperature is increased to 800-1060 DEG C, meanwhile, a carbon source, hydrogen and protective gas are introduced into the reaction chamber, heat preservation is conducted for 10-30 min, and therefore the graphene composite material is prepared on the surface of the copper substrate. According to the method, the number of active sites evenly distributed on the surface of the copper substrate can be effectively increased, the growth rate of the graphene is increased, the growth uniformity of the graphene is guaranteed, meanwhile, the heat-conducting property of the graphene can be improved, and the resistivity is reduced.