Interfacial　bond　and　structure　as　key　points　significant　restrict　the　mechanical　properties　of　carbon　nanotubes　(CNTs)　reinforced　aluminum　matrix　composites　(CNTs/Al　composites).　In　order　to　further　enhance　the　interfacial　bond　of　CNTs/Al　composites,　this　paper　proposed　a　novel　fabrication　process　of　CNTs/Al　composites　with　Cu　nanoparticles　decorated　CNTs,　which　results　in　the　remarkable　improvement　of　strength　and　ductility　of　CNTs/Al　composites.　The　in-depth　study　results　from　microstructure　of　layered　CNTs/Al　composites　show　that:　Cu　nanoparticles　can　repair　CNTs　structural　defects,　and　passivate　the　reaction　activity　of　the　defect　points,　which　successfully　inhibit　producing　big　Al4C3　phase.　On　the　other　hand,　Cu　nanoparticles　as　a　bridge　connecting　Al　and　CNTs,　can　improve　the　interface　wettability,　and　produce　an　＂Al-Cu-CNT＂　interlocking　effect.　Due　to　the　improvement　of　the　interfacial　bond　and　structure　between　CNTs　and　Al　matrix,　the　strengthening　and　toughening　effect　of　CNTs　is　effectively　exerted　in　the　Al　matrix　composites.　Additionally,　this　work　avoids　the　traditional　mismatch　relationship　between　strength　and　ductility　in　CNTs/Al　composites.　(C)　2021　Published　by　Elsevier　B.V.