Mechanical Properties of Ni-Coated Single Graphene Sheet and Their Embedded Aluminum Matrix Composites

The effects of Ni coating on the mechanical behaviors of single graphene sheet and their embedded Almatrix composites under axial tension are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method.The resultsshow that the Young’s moduli and tensile strength of graphene obviously decrease after Ni coating.The results also showthat the mechanical properties of Al matrix can be obviously increased by embedding a single graphene sheet.Fromthe simulation,we also find that the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the Ni-coated graphene/Al composite isobviously larger than those of the uncoated graphene/Al composite.The increased magnitude of the Young’s modulusand tensile strength of graphene/A1 composite are 52.27% and 32.32% at 0.01 K,respectively,due to Ni coating.Byexploring the effects of temperature on the mechanical properties of single graphene sheet and their embedded A1 matrixcomposites,it is found that the higher temperature leads to the lower critical strain and tensile strength.