Ag/graphene composite based on high-quality graphene with high electrical and mechanical properties

A simple and effective process has been reported to prepare the silver (Ag)/graphene composite with excellent mechanical and electrical properties based on high-quality graphene (HQG). The HQG was fabricated via hot pressing of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) from chemical exfoliation, while the Ag/HQG composite was obtained by using spark plasma sintering (SPS) treatment under high temperature (1500 °C) and moderate pressure (40 MPa). With low oxygen-containing functional groups and defect density, the HQG dispersed homogeneously in the composite after high-energy ball milling. In comparison to pure Ag, the as-prepared Ag/RGO composite exhibited a great enhancement of 11% electrical conductivity and 42% micro-hardness with an optimal RGO adding content (1 wt%). The Ag/HQG composite is expected to open up a new way for the novel Ag-based electrical contact materials, and further to broaden its applications in micro-electronics and switching power.