Preparation and Fracture Analysis of Advanced Layered Composite with Graphene-Coated Alumina Nanofibers

Abstract:

The present work aims at the preparation and characterization of ceramic layered composite prepared from fine submicron-sized Al₂O₃ with the addition of electrospun graphene-coated Al₂O₃ fibers (Al₂O₃/G-Fs) by Spark Plasma Sintering with double pressure sintering process. A layered composite containing 2.5 wt. % of Al₂O₃/G fibers in three homogeneous layers was prepared and compared with the pure monolithic Al₂O₃ material obtained under the same conditions. The microstructures of the samples were studied by optical microscopy, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The presence of graphene after the sintering in the final composite was proved by Raman spectroscopy. The effect of the graphene-coated fibers on the composite`s microstructure and mechanical properties was described along with the fractographic analysis. Graphene on the surface of the electrospun Al₂O₃ fibers suppressed the grain growth which dominantly takes place during the sintering of the composite, which significantly influenced the character of the fracture. While predominantly intergranular fracture occurs in the monolithic fracture surface, the fracture character becomes transgranular with the addition of layers of Al₂O₃/G-Fs. Fracture toughness improvement took place because of the presence of small pores, in order of a few nanometers, which showed high energy absorption and provided self-induced crack propagation inhibition.

• Periodical: Journal of Nano Research (Volume 78)
• Pages: 17-22
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-16bbhe
• Online since: April 2023
• Authors: Erika Mudra, Ihor Koribanich*, Monika Hrubovčáková, Ivan Shepa, Alexandra Kovalcikova, Jan Dusza
• Keywords: Alumina, Fibers, Graphene, Spark Plasma Sintering

References

[1] G. Guo, Y. Fan, J.-F. Zhang, J.L. Hagan, X. Xu, Novel dental composites reinforced with zirconia–silica ceramic nanofibers, Dent. Mater. 28 (2012) 360-368.

DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2011.11.006

[2] S. Jiang, Y. Chen, G. Duan, C. Mei, A. Greiner, S. Agarwal, Electrospun nanofiber reinforced composites: A review, Polym. Chem. 9 (2018) 2685-2720.

DOI: 10.1039/c8py00378e

[3] J. H. Park, M. K. Lee, C. K. Rhee, W. W. Kim, Control of hydrolytic reaction of aluminum particles for aluminum oxide nanofibers, Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 375-377 (2004) 1263-1268.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2003.10.155

[4] Y. Sarikaya, K. Ada, T. Alemdaroğlu, İ. Bozdoğan, The effect of Al3+ concentration on the properties of alumina powders obtained by reaction between aluminium sulphate and urea in boiling aqueous solution, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 22 (2002) 1905-1910.

DOI: 10.1016/s0955-2219(01)00514-3

[5] F. Inam, H. Yan, T. Peijs, M.J. Reece, The sintering and grain growth behaviour of ceramic-carbon nanotube nanocomposites, Compos. Sci. Technol. 70 (2010) 947-952.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.02.010

[6] H. Porwal, P. Tatarko, S. Grasso, J. Khaliq, I. Dlouhý, M. J. Reece, Graphene reinforced alumina nano-composites, Carbon N. Y. 64 (2013) 359-369.

DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.07.086

[7] F. Inam, H. Yan, D. D. Jayaseelan, T. Peijs, M. J. Reece, Electrically conductive alumina–carbon nanocomposites prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 30 (2010) 153-157.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2009.05.045

[8] H. Porwal, P. Tatarko, S. Grasso, J. Khaliq, I. Dlouhý, M. J. Reece, Graphene reinforced alumina nano-composites, Carbon N. Y. 64 (2013) 359-369.

DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.07.086

[9] O. Fakolujo, A. Merati, M. Bielawski, M. Bolduc, M. Nganbe, Role of Microstructural Features in Toughness Improvement of Zirconia Toughened Alumina, J. Miner. Mater. Charact. Eng. 04 (2016) 87-102.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2016.41009