Using graphene networks to build bioinspired self-monitoring ceramics

The properties of graphene open new opportunities for the fabrication of composites exhibiting unique structural and functional capabilities. However, to achieve this goal we should build materials with carefully designed architectures. Here, we describe the fabrication of ceramic-graphene composite...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2017-02, Vol.8 (1), p.14425-14425, Article 14425
Main Authors: Picot, Olivier T., Rocha, Victoria G., Ferraro, Claudio, Ni, Na, D’Elia, Eleonora, Meille, Sylvain, Chevalier, Jerome, Saunders, Theo, Peijs, Ton, Reece, Mike J., Saiz, Eduardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
140/133
140/146
639/301/1023/1025
639/301/357/918/1053
Carbon
Ceramics
Crack propagation
Design
Engineering
Engineering Sciences
Fractures
Graphene
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Nanomaterials
Plasma sintering
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Summary:The properties of graphene open new opportunities for the fabrication of composites exhibiting unique structural and functional capabilities. However, to achieve this goal we should build materials with carefully designed architectures. Here, we describe the fabrication of ceramic-graphene composites by combining graphene foams with pre-ceramic polymers and spark plasma sintering. The result is a material containing an interconnected, microscopic network of very thin (20–30 nm), electrically conductive, carbon interfaces. This network generates electrical conductivities up to two orders of magnitude higher than those of other ceramics with similar graphene or carbon nanotube contents and can be used to monitor ‘ in situ ’ structural integrity. In addition, it directs crack propagation, promoting stable crack growth and increasing the fracture resistance by an order of magnitude. These results demonstrate that the rational integration of nanomaterials could be a fruitful path towards building composites combining unique mechanical and functional performances. Micro- and nanostructures found in nature can be adopted to new uses and materials in engineered composites. Here authors demonstrate large enhancements in toughness and electrical conductivity in a ceramic upon addition of graphene at low (1 volume %) levels.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/ncomms14425