Super-strong graphene-copper core shell wire and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a preparation method of a super-strong graphene-copper core shell wire. According to the method, the electrical and mechanical properties of the wire are remarkably enhanced. The super-long graphene fiber is synthesized through chemical vapor deposition, then a copper layer is uniformly plated on GFs through an electroplating method, and the GFs-Cu core-shell structure is formed. According to the structure, the mechanical toughness of the wire is improved, and the current density limit is improved by 10 times due to the unique electrical and thermal characteristics of graphene, so that more efficient and more reliable electric energy transmission through the GFs-Cu wire is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultra-strong graphene-copper core-shell conductor for high-performance cables, in particular to a conductor combining ultra-long graphene fibers synthesized by chemical vapor deposition with electroplated copper, which is suitable for lightweight high-power cables such as mobile electronic devices, electric vehicles, and drone motors. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of mobile electronic devices and electric vehicles, there is an increasing demand for lightweight, highly stable and high-performance wires and cables. Although copper is widely used in electrical devices due to its excellent electrical properties and relatively low cost, its limitations in electrical and mechanical properties hinder its use in demanding applications. In recent years, metal and carbon-based composites, especially graphene-based materials, have received widespread attention due to their excellent properties. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides a method for preparing a super-strong graphene-copper core-shell conductor, which significantly enhances the electrical and mechanical properties of the conductor. Ultra-long graphene fibers are synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, and then a copper layer is uniformly plated on the GFs by electroplating to form a GFs-Cu core-shell structure. This structure not only improves the mechanical toughness of the conductor, but also increases the current density limit by 10 times due to the unique electrical and thermal properties of graphene, thereby achieving more efficient and reliable transmission of electrical energy through the GFs-Cu conductor.

[0004] The present invention provides a method for preparing a super-strong graphene-copper core shell conductor, comprising the following steps: a. Synthesis of ultra-long graphene fibers by chemical vapor deposition; b. copper is plated on the graphene fiber by an electroplating method to form a copper core-shell structure; c. Adjust the thickness of the copper layer by controlling the electroplating time.

[0005] Furthermore, the synthesis of the graphene fiber uses a nickel film as a catalyst.

[0006] Furthermore, the time range of the electroplating copper layer is 100 seconds to 600 seconds.

[0007] Furthermore, the graphene fiber is subjected to photolithography and oxygen plasma treatment before electroplating to form a desired pattern.

[0008] Furthermore, the conductive wire comprises a graphene fiber synthesized by chemical vapor deposition as a core, and a copper layer formed on the graphene fiber by an electroplating method as a shell.

[0009] The method further includes separating the graphene fiber from the nickel film and curling the graphene fiber into a fiber-like structure before electroplating the copper layer.

[0010] The present invention also provides a super-strong graphene-copper core shell conductor obtained by the above method, wherein the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor is greater than 470 MPa, and the maximum current density is greater than 1.0×10 6 A / cm 2 .

[0011] Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the wire is 3.5×10 5 -3.7×10 5 S / cm, thermal conductivity is 354-366W / m·K.

[0012] The ultra-strong graphene-copper core-shell conductor obtained by the present invention is very suitable for use in high-performance cables, such as lightweight and high-power cables for electric vehicles, mobile electronic devices, and drone motors, due to its light weight, high strength, high current density, and excellent thermal management capabilities. In addition, its efficient power transmission capability also makes it have a wide range of application potentials in the fields of long-distance power transmission, high-speed data transmission, etc. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] A method for preparing a super strong graphene-copper core shell conductor: 1) Synthesis of graphene fibers: Graphene sheets were synthesized on high-purity nickel film (300nm, 99.999%) / SiO2 / Si substrates by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method using argon, H2 and CH4 gases at 950-970°C.

[0014] 2) Patterning and extraction of graphene fibers: The synthesized graphene flakes were line patterned using photolithography and oxygen plasma treatment. The graphene sheets were then immersed in a nickel etching solution and ethanol co-solvent to etch the nickel film and separate the graphene sheets from the bare silicon substrate, ultimately forming graphene fibers.

[0015] 3) Copper electroplating process: The graphene fiber is used as the cathode and electroplated in an electrolytic cell containing copper sulfate. The electroplating time is controlled between 100-600 seconds to form a uniform copper-GFs core-shell structure.

[0016] The method may further include separating the graphene fiber from the nickel film and curling the graphene fiber into a fiber-like structure before electroplating the copper layer.

[0017] The resulting products are inspected and tested.

[0018] The prepared GFs-Cu wires showed excellent ultimate tensile strength up to 470 MPa, which is more than twice that of commercial copper wires.

[0019] The maximum current density of the conductor is greater than 1.0×10 6 A / cm 2 , which is significantly better than the performance of commercial copper wires and original GFs, about 10 times and 100 times higher, respectively.

[0020] The wires can spread heat more efficiently at high current densities while suppressing the increase in resistance due to Joule heating.

[0021] After optimized copper electroplating process, the conductivity of GFs-Cu wire was increased to 3.7×10 5 S / cm, similar to the conductivity of commercial copper wire, but with a significantly higher conductivity / weight value per unit weight.

[0022] The present invention combines graphene fiber with copper, utilizes the high strength of graphene and the high electrical conductivity of copper, and creates a new type of core-shell structure conductor.

[0023] During the preparation process, by precisely controlling the electroplating time and conditions, the copper layer is evenly distributed on the surface of the graphene fiber, ensuring the high performance and stability of the conductor.

[0024] The resulting GFs-Cu wire can support current density up to 10 times that of commercial copper wire while maintaining low resistance. At the same time, its unique thermal properties effectively manage heat, improving the efficiency and safety of power transmission.

[0025] In industrial applications, GFs-Cu conductors can adjust the diameter of graphene fibers and the thickness of copper layers according to specific needs to adapt to different electrical and mechanical load conditions. For example, in electric vehicle battery connection lines that require extremely high current density and good thermal management, thicker copper layers and thicker graphene fibers can be selected; while in aviation cables that have extremely high weight requirements, thinner graphene fibers and thinner copper layers can be selected to reduce weight while maintaining necessary electrical properties.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a super strong graphene-copper core shell conductor, comprising the following steps: a. Synthesis of ultra-long graphene fibers by chemical vapor deposition; b. copper is plated on the graphene fiber by an electroplating method to form a copper core-shell structure; c. Adjust the thickness of the copper layer by controlling the electroplating time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the synthesis of the graphene fiber uses a nickel film as a catalyst. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the copper layer is electroplated for a time ranging from 100 seconds to 600 seconds.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the graphene fiber is subjected to photolithography and oxygen plasma treatment to form a desired pattern before electroplating.

5. The method according to claims 1-4, wherein the wire comprises a graphene fiber synthesized by chemical vapor deposition as a core, and a copper layer formed on the graphene fiber by an electroplating method as a shell.

6. The method according to claims 1-4, further comprising separating the graphene fibers from the nickel film and curling them into a fiber-like structure before electroplating the copper layer.

7. A super strong graphene-copper core shell conductor, characterized in that: The ultimate tensile strength of the wire is greater than 470 MPa, and the maximum current density is greater than 1.0×10 6 A / cm 2 .

8. The wire according to claim 7, wherein the electrical conductivity of the wire is 3.5×10 5 -3.7×10 5 S / cm, thermal conductivity is 354-366W / m·K.