Fabrication of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets reinforced Sn–Bi nanocomposites by electro-chemical deposition

Novel Sn–Bi/reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (RGOS) nanocomposites were fabricated using electro-chemical deposition process at room temperature. The RGOS dispersed and distributed in Sn–Bi alloy. Nano-sized Sn–Bi grain clusters grew on the surface of RGOS and the Sn–Bi grains became finer after the incorporation of RGOS. The mechanical properties including micro-hardness and shear strength were enhanced by the incorporation of RGOS. The enhance mechanism of RGOS in Sn–Bi/RGOS nanocomposites was proposed by finite element method simulation. The graphene with extra-thin thickness and huge aspect ratio lead to an effective stress transfer and stress concentration occurs near the edge of graphene. The Sn–Bi/RGOS nanocomposites are promising in application as TIM of high power electronics, integrated circuits.