Integrating Highly Conductive 2D Materials in Metal Matrix

Abstract

MXenes have attracted significant attention in recent due to their high electrical conductivity and potential for usage in composite material. This thesis investigated Ti3C2Tx MXene/Al composites with varying aluminum content to see whether the conductivity of the composites can overcome the one for pure aluminum. The MX ene was synthesized through an in-situ HF etching process, mixed with aluminium powder, pressed into coin-like pellets, and sintered in argon atmosphere at 550 ◦C. Contact conductivity and Rockwell hardness measurements where performed, as well as microstructure analysis through SEM and EDX. The results showed that high-Al composites showed measurable conductivity and im proved mechanical integrity, while lower-Al composites exhibited fragile behaviour and measurement challenges. Sintering influenced both conductivity and hardness, indicating strong dependence on densification and microstructure. This was sup ported by the microstructure analysis. The study demonstrates the importance of composition and thermal processing in determining the electrical and mechanical properties of MXene/Al composites. None of the composites overcame the electrical performance for pure aluminium, however there are many aspects of this project that could be investigated further before declaring MXene/Al composites not useful for electrical transport applications. These aspects include examining the residual aluminium in the pure MXene samples and comparing the results of other sinter ing methods better suited for powder composites, such as spark plasma sintering (SPS).