Single-wall carbon nanotubes as attractive toughening agents in alumina-based nanocomposites.
The extraordinary mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes have prompted intense research into a wide range of applications in structural materials, electronics, chemical processing and energy management. Attempts have been made to develop advanced engineering materials with improved or novel properties through the incorporation of carbon nanotubes in selected matrices (polymers, metals and ceramics). But the use of carbon nanotubes to reinforce ceramic composites has not been very successful; for example, in alumina-based systems only a 24% increase in toughness has been obtained so far. Here we demonstrate their potential use in reinforcing nanocrystalline ceramics. We have fabricated fully dense nanocomposites of single-wall carbon nanotubes with nanocrystalline alumina (Al2O3) matrix at sintering temperatures as low as 1,150 degrees C by spark-plasma sintering. A fracture toughness of 9.7 MPa m 1/2, nearly three times that of pure nanocrystalline alumina, can be achieved.
Zhan
Guo-Dong
GD
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Kuntz
Joshua D
JD
Wan
Julin
J
Mukherjee
Amiya K
AK
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003460:Crystallization; D019563:Mechanics; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D000537:Aluminum Oxide