Extraordinary strengthening effect of carbon nanotubes in metal-matrix nanocomposites processed by molecular-level mixing

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/Cu nanocomposites with homogeneously dispersed CNTs within the Cu matrix was fabricated by means of a molecular-level mixing process, which consists of mixing Cu ions with functionalized CNTs in a solvent. The mechanical properties of the CNT/Cu nanocomposite were characterized using compressive tests. The yield strength of the CNT/Cu nanocomposite was shown to be three times higher that that of Cu alone. Carbon nanotubes showed the most effective strengthening efficiencies among all reinforcement materials, eight times higher than SiC particles and three times higher than SiC whiskers.