Please Join us for a talk with Romaine Isaacs '10, entitled: The structure and properties of Cu covetic, a Cu-C alloy with high C content.
Please Join us for a talk with Romaine Isaacs '10, entitled: The structure and properties of Cu covetic, a Cu-C alloy with high C content.
The incorporation of carbon nanostructures into the copper lattice has the potential to improve the current density of copper to meet the ever-increasing demands of nanoelectronic devices. We report on the structure and properties of a new material formed by the incorporation of carbon in concentrations up to 10 wt% into the crystal structure of copper that we refer to as “Cu covetic”. The carbon does not phase separate after subsequent melting and re-solidification despite the absence of a predicted solid solution at such concentrations in the binary phase diagram. Bulk samples, as well as thin films grown at room temperature and high temperature are investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that C incorporates in the bulk of the Cu. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) shows that C forms a modulated structure in the crystal lattice, and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) indicates that C-K edge has graphitic nature with sp2 bonding. Raman scattering from bulk Cu covetic samples show weak peaks at ~1300 and 1600 cm-1 indicating weak sp2 bonding, in contrast to Ag and Al covetics. Copper covetic films exhibit greater transparency, higher conductivity, and resistance to oxidation than pure copper films of the same thickness, making them a suitable choice for transparent conductors. Romaine Isaacs received his B.A. in Physics from Ithaca College in 2010. His interest in research started in his sophomore year where under the supervision of Professor Beth Joseph he conducted a solar feasibility study for Ithaca College, which was presented to the President’s Sustainability Committee. He also performed radar telescopic observations of metallic asteroids in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and remote observations from Hawaii’s infracted telescopes under her tutelage. He went on to studying the superconductor PCCO in the group of Professor Matthew C. Sullivan, and over the following two years gained experience through the Ithaca College DANA summer internships program while working at Cornell University, Binghamton University and the University of Maryland. He continued his education after being accepted into the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. While there he has conducted research on materials for organic and inorganic solar cells at the National Institute of Standards and Technology through the NIST-ARRA Fellowship. His recent focus is on a new material that he will speak about called “covetics”. Tues., Dec. 1 CNS 112 @ 12:10 p.m. Pizza and Refreshments will be available for $1. Please bring your own cup. Remember to Recycle, Reuse, Reduce. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the department assistant at jackerman@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20151120111029180