A new core–shell Ti3AlC2/Cu composite powder prepared by electroless plating method

The core–shell Cu-coated Ti3AlC2 composite powders were fabricated by using the electroless plating method, the Ti3AlC2 particles were coated by a uniform and dense copper shell with about 500–900 nm thickness, and the influence of main effective parameters such as the content of reducing agent, concentration of Ti3AlC2 particles and the temperature of the plating solution on the uniformity of copper layer was investigated. The surface morphologies and chemical composition of the initial Ti3AlC2 powder and Cu-coated Ti3AlC2 powder were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the plating rate increased as increasing the content of the reducing agent, and the optimal reductant concentration was determined as 10–15 ml/l. The mechanical and electrical properties of Ti3AlC2/Cu composites reinforced by copper coated Ti3AlC2 particles were much better than that reinforced by the pristine Ti3AlC2.