Strong yet highly conductive liquid metal composite film constructed via friction induced in-situ synthesis

Jian Xun Zhao; Aisheng Song; Xin Tang; Jiangkun Luo; Wen Fa Lai; Cheng Jun Huang; Hai Jun Wu; Niyun Zhou; Xin Li; Tian Bao Ma

doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74665-x

Strong yet highly conductive liquid metal composite film constructed via friction induced in-situ synthesis

Jian Xun Zhao
, Aisheng Song^*
, Xin Tang
, Jiangkun Luo
, Wen Fa Lai
, Cheng Jun Huang
, Hai Jun Wu
, Niyun Zhou
, Xin Li^*
, Tian Bao Ma^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Tsinghua University
Jihua Laboratory
State Key Laboratory of Precious Metal Functional Materials
Beijing Institute of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Contact resistance is a crucial bottleneck for various applications. Liquid metal and its composites can reduce contact resistance of interfaces due to their high conductivity and deformability, yet their mechanical strength is insufficient under external forces. Here, we prepare a deformable liquid-metal-bridged nanogranular composite via friction induced in-situ synthesis, realizing low contact resistance alongside high current density of 1.5 GA/m² and high hardness of 2.6 GPa. This remarkable performance originates from the unique structure: a high fraction (~ 66 vol%) of nano-sized conductive ceramic particles bridged by high-surface-tension liquid metal through metallic bonding, which is formed in situ under mechanochemical stimulation during friction. This strategy provides a route to fabricating functional liquid metal composites, shedding light into simultaneous improvement of the mechanical and electrical properties.

Original language	English
Article number	7683
Journal	Nature Communications
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74665-x
Publication status	Published - Dec 2026
Externally published	Yes

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Cite this

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title = "Strong yet highly conductive liquid metal composite film constructed via friction induced in-situ synthesis",

abstract = "Contact resistance is a crucial bottleneck for various applications. Liquid metal and its composites can reduce contact resistance of interfaces due to their high conductivity and deformability, yet their mechanical strength is insufficient under external forces. Here, we prepare a deformable liquid-metal-bridged nanogranular composite via friction induced in-situ synthesis, realizing low contact resistance alongside high current density of 1.5 GA/m2 and high hardness of 2.6 GPa. This remarkable performance originates from the unique structure: a high fraction (\textasciitilde{} 66 vol\%) of nano-sized conductive ceramic particles bridged by high-surface-tension liquid metal through metallic bonding, which is formed in situ under mechanochemical stimulation during friction. This strategy provides a route to fabricating functional liquid metal composites, shedding light into simultaneous improvement of the mechanical and electrical properties.",

author = "Zhao, \{Jian Xun\} and Aisheng Song and Xin Tang and Jiangkun Luo and Lai, \{Wen Fa\} and Huang, \{Cheng Jun\} and Wu, \{Hai Jun\} and Niyun Zhou and Xin Li and Ma, \{Tian Bao\}",

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doi = "10.1038/s41467-026-74665-x",

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T1 - Strong yet highly conductive liquid metal composite film constructed via friction induced in-situ synthesis

AU - Zhao, Jian Xun

AU - Song, Aisheng

AU - Tang, Xin

AU - Luo, Jiangkun

AU - Lai, Wen Fa

AU - Huang, Cheng Jun

AU - Wu, Hai Jun

AU - Zhou, Niyun

AU - Li, Xin

AU - Ma, Tian Bao

PY - 2026/12

Y1 - 2026/12

N2 - Contact resistance is a crucial bottleneck for various applications. Liquid metal and its composites can reduce contact resistance of interfaces due to their high conductivity and deformability, yet their mechanical strength is insufficient under external forces. Here, we prepare a deformable liquid-metal-bridged nanogranular composite via friction induced in-situ synthesis, realizing low contact resistance alongside high current density of 1.5 GA/m2 and high hardness of 2.6 GPa. This remarkable performance originates from the unique structure: a high fraction (~ 66 vol%) of nano-sized conductive ceramic particles bridged by high-surface-tension liquid metal through metallic bonding, which is formed in situ under mechanochemical stimulation during friction. This strategy provides a route to fabricating functional liquid metal composites, shedding light into simultaneous improvement of the mechanical and electrical properties.

AB - Contact resistance is a crucial bottleneck for various applications. Liquid metal and its composites can reduce contact resistance of interfaces due to their high conductivity and deformability, yet their mechanical strength is insufficient under external forces. Here, we prepare a deformable liquid-metal-bridged nanogranular composite via friction induced in-situ synthesis, realizing low contact resistance alongside high current density of 1.5 GA/m2 and high hardness of 2.6 GPa. This remarkable performance originates from the unique structure: a high fraction (~ 66 vol%) of nano-sized conductive ceramic particles bridged by high-surface-tension liquid metal through metallic bonding, which is formed in situ under mechanochemical stimulation during friction. This strategy provides a route to fabricating functional liquid metal composites, shedding light into simultaneous improvement of the mechanical and electrical properties.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105046362388

U2 - 10.1038/s41467-026-74665-x

DO - 10.1038/s41467-026-74665-x

M3 - Article

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AN - SCOPUS:105046362388

SN - 2041-1723

VL - 17

JO - Nature Communications

JF - Nature Communications

IS - 1

M1 - 7683

ER -

Strong yet highly conductive liquid metal composite film constructed via friction induced in-situ synthesis

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