Fabrication of Y ₂ O ₃ ‐Doped Graphene Oxide/Cu Composites with Enhanced Mechanical and Electrical Properties via Electrodeposition

Graphene and its derivatives exhibit superior performances matching with Cu matrix compared with other reinforcements, demonstrating excellent functional and mechanical properties. Herein, Y 2 O 3 ‐doped graphene oxide (GO)/Cu composites are synthesized through a novel strategy combining the electrodeposition with hydrothermal synthesis. Results indicate that GO@Y 2 O 3 reinforcements can be uniformly dispersed within the Cu matrix, representing enhanced mechanical properties and excellent electrical conductivity. Specifically, the Y 2 O 3 ‐doped GO/Cu composite achieves a yield strength of 191 ± 9 MPa, which is 105% and 26% higher than that of pure Cu and the GO/Cu composite, respectively. This unique architecture of GO@Y 2 O 3 reinforcements plays a bridging role at GO–Cu interfaces. Compared to the GO/Cu composite, the incorporation of Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles gives rise to the significant enhancement in grain refinement strengthening, Orowan strengthening, and load‐transfer strengthening. Additionally, the Y 2 O 3 ‐doped GO/Cu composite also exhibits a high electrical conductivity of 93.76% IACS (international annealed copper standard) while maintaining a good plasticity. This work establishes a feasible strategy for enhancing mechanical and electrical properties of Cu matrix composites through the interface engineering.