Novel metal-carbon nanomaterials: A review on covetics

Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,1206 W. Green Street, Urbana, 61801, IL, USA

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2017, 8 (9), pp 884-890

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2017.1598

Publication Date (Web): Jun 04, 2017

Copyright © IAAM-VBRI Press

E-mail: ijasiuk@illinois.edu

Abstract

Covetics are a novel class of metal-carbon nanomaterials. The covetics are fabricated using a conventional induction furnace wherein an electric current is applied into an activated carbon infused molten metal medium. In situ generated arc discharge induces a chemical conversion reaction where the amorphous carbon attains a crystalline structure and forms covalent bonding with host metal matrix. Such fabrication approach also promotes higher carbon solubility in the molten metal than that in traditional metal-carbon alloys. Nanoscale structure analyses revealed single-phase carbon-metal lattice morphologies in the covetics. The covetics have also been shown to possess improved thermos-physical properties as compared to their parent metals. We herein present a review of the literature on the covetics. First, we introduce the covetic materials, and then provide a brief overview on metal-carbon nanocomposites. Then, we summarize experimental results on covetics. Finally, we discuss characterization challenges and future directions in the covetics research. 

Keywords

Covetics, metal-carbon nanomaterial, nanoscale structure, mechanical properties.