Fabrication of magnesium-coated graphene and its effect on the microstructure of reinforced AZ91 magnesium-matrix composites

The surface of graphene (GNP) has been successfully coated with magnesium nano-metal to form composite structures in situ via the organic chemical reduction method. The results demonstrate that the organic chemistry plated was successfully used to synthesize 30–50 nm Mg nanoparticles (nano-Mg) smoothly occurred on the surface of graphene. The HRTEM results confirmed that heterogeneous nucleation of Mg promoted the tight bonding between the nano-Mg and the graphene interfaces. In addition, the wettability and dispersibility of magnesium-coated graphene within the AZ91 alloy matrix have been greatly improved, resulting in more β-Mg 17 Al 12 strengthening phase with a size of 100–300 nm dispersion and precipitation in the enhanced magnesium-matrix composite. These results reveal that the magnesium-coated graphene significantly affects the microstructure of the composite and exhibits an excellent reinforcement effect. Graphic Abstract