Mechanical strength of carbon nanotube–nickel nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including single-walled CNT (SWCNT) and multi-walled CNT (MWCNT), have been regarded as the stiffest and strongest materials ever developed and are promising reinforcement fillers for developing nanocomposites. However, the scientific community has been puzzled about the reinforcement efficiency. Here we report CNT-reinforced nickel nanocomposites fabricated with an innovative electrochemical co-deposition process for achieving good interfacial bonding between CNT and metallic matrices. Test results show that Ni/SWCNT composite produces a tensile strength as high as 2 GPa, which is more than three times stronger than that of pure nickel. The mechanical strength of Ni/CNT nanocomposites is dependent on CNT addition, while the fracture strain remains similar or better than that of pure nickel. The good reinforcement of CNT/metal nanocomposites is attributed to the good interfacial bonding as well as the stiffer matrix nature.