Chenmu Zhang

Abstract

There is great interest in developing advanced electrical conductors with higher conductivity, lighter weight, and higher mechanical strength than copper (Cu). One promising candidate is copper-graphene (Cu-Gr) composite, which is hypothesized to have a higher electrical conductivity than Cu. In this work, it is shown that this is not true, supported by state-of-the-art first-principles calculations ofelectron transport. Particularly, contrary to the beliefthat graphene in the composite is more conductive than pristine Cu, it is less conductive due to increased scattering despite increased carrier concentration. On the other hand, it is found that compressive strain along the (111) plane increases the conductivity, which is confirmed experimentally, while tensile strain has little effect. The work offers new insights into understanding and developing advanced conductors.