Engineering properties of graphene - ceramic nanocomposites by incorporating defects in graphene

摘要

A novel strategy for producing ceramic – graphene nanocomposites with customizable mechanical and electrical properties without changing the amount of graphene has been presented. Structural and crystalline defects were produced in graphene using high-power tip ultrasonication for 20, 40 and 60 minutes. Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses were conducted to characterize degradation in graphene. Alumina – graphene nanocomposites were then prepared using Spark Plasma Sintering. Fracture toughness and electrical conductivities were measured for alumina nanocomposites containing 0.5 vol% and 3 vol% graphene respectively. Electrical conductivity and fracture toughness values of alumina – graphene nanocomposites decreased with the increase in structural defects in graphene. The quality of graphene has no influence on the grain size of the alumina nanocomposites.