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An Innovative Electrolysis Approach for the Synthesis of Metal Matrix Bulk Nanocomposites: A Case Study on Copper-Niobium System

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Abstract

Design and synthesis of a prototype Cu-Nb nanocomposite are presented. Oxygen-free Cu-Nb nanocomposites were prepared using an electrolysis facility with special emphasis on the cathodic deoxidation of Cu and nanometric Nb2O5 blends in a molten NaCl-CaCl2 electrolyte. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The elemental analysis of the Cu matrix and Nb phase revealed the high solubility of Nb in the Cu structure (0.85 at. pct) and Cu in the Nb structure (10.59 at. pct) over short synthesis times (4–5 hours). Furthermore, precise analysis using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the unique structure and nanocomposite morphology of the Cu-Nb nanocomposite. The successful synthesis of Cu-Nb nanocomposites offers a new conceptual and empirical outlook on the generation of bulk nanostructures of immiscible bimetals using electro-synthesis.

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Acknowledgment

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support by the Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), the Govt. of Iran. The authors wish to thank Mr. Dr. Alizadeh and Mrs. Dr. Sangpour. We are grateful to Mr. R. Bahrampour collaboration in the designing and manufacturing, Mr. S. Noraie for X-ray diffractometery, and Mrs. S. Taieb Taher for the skillful images of AFM and observation of FESEM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), P.O. Box: 31787-316, Meshkindasht, Karaj, Iran

    Hussein Shokrvash, Rahim Yazdani Rad & Abouzar Massoudi

Authors
  1. Hussein Shokrvash
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  2. Rahim Yazdani Rad
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  3. Abouzar Massoudi
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Correspondence to Abouzar Massoudi.

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Manuscript submitted February 12, 2016.

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Shokrvash, H., Rad, R.Y. & Massoudi, A. An Innovative Electrolysis Approach for the Synthesis of Metal Matrix Bulk Nanocomposites: A Case Study on Copper-Niobium System. Metall Mater Trans A 49, 1355–1362 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-018-4473-y

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