Cu-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite coatings with high CNT content and uniformly distributed CNTs were successfully prepared via jet electrodeposition. Pristine CNTs, without any treatment like acid functionalization, were used. Anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used to increase the wettability of the CNTs and improve the content of incorporated CNTs. With an appropriate SDS concentration (300 mg/L) in the electrolyte, the incorporated CNT content is as high as 2.84 wt %, much higher than the values reported using conventional electrodeposition (0.42–1.05 wt %). The high-content CNTs were uniformly distributed in the composite coating. The surface morphology of this composite coating (2.84 wt % CNTs) was flat due to the uniform electric field in jet electrodeposition. In the wear test a with load of 1 N and sliding speed of 0.02 m/s, the wear rate of this composite coating was 1.3 × 10⁻² mg/Nm, 85.4% lower than that of pure Cu. The enhanced wear performance of Cu-CNTs composite coatings can be attributed to high CNT content and flat surface morphology.

Cu based composites with high mechanical performance have attracted considerable attention due to their extensive applications. A facile jet electrodeposition method was used to prepare Cu-TiO₂ composite coatings with TiO₂ content as high as 7.25 wt-%. The high content TiO₂ particles with an average size of about 120 nm were uniformly distributed in the Cu matrix. This composite coating showed significantly enhanced microhardness of 218.7 Hv and reduced wear rate of 3.7 × 10⁻² mg Nm⁻¹, which was 156.1% higher and 75.3% lower than electroformed pure Cu respectively. The enhanced mechanical performance of Cu-TiO₂ composites can be attributed to an improved dispersion strengthening effect. Both high TiO₂ content and uniform TiO₂ distribution play active roles in enhancing dispersion strengthening effect. With appropriate particle size, jet electrodeposition is an effective approach to making composite coatings with high particle content and uniform particle distribution. These composites prepared by jet electrodeposition show significantly enhanced mechanical performance like high hardness and enhanced wear resistance.