Enabling water-based processing of graphene/alumina composites using an infiltration approach with amphiphilic triblock copolymers. Issue 14 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Menendez, Guillermo; Kynaston, Thomas; Villar-Garcia, Ignacio J.; Gao, Min; Evans, Sam L.; Rocha, Victoria G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 42:Issue 14(2022)
• Page Start: 6574
• Page End: 6582
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Graphene oxide -- Ceramic-based composites -- Freeze-casting -- Spark plasma sintering -- Materials processing; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2022.07.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: Enabling the direct infiltration of freeze-cast graphene structures with water-based ceramic suspensions, otherwise prevented by graphene's intrinsic hydrophobic behaviour, can lead to the production of hierarchical graphene/ceramic composites in a cost-effective and replicable manner. In this study, the addition of a triblock copolymer (PF127) in the formulation of water-based alumina slurries was used to allow the integration with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) scaffolds combining freeze-casting, wet chemistry processing and Spark Plasma Sintering. Wettability and infiltration tests were performed to optimise the composition of the ceramic suspension, leading to the preservation of alignment in embedded rGO scaffolds and maintaining channel widths of 5–15▒ μ m upon sintering at 1500 ∘ C.