Carbon nanotube-/graphene-reinforced ceramic composites

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene are employed to improve the fracture toughness of ceramics. The presence of exceptionally strong carbon nanomaterials in small fractions in a ceramic matrix restricts the crack propagation mechanism significantly, which leads to enhanced fracture toughness. A review of CNTs as well as graphene-reinforced ceramics has been presented. Effects of various factors such as dispersion and volume fraction of reinforcing phase, type of ceramic matrix, processing conditions, etc. on the performance of composites have been reviewed in detail. The reinforcement mechanism has also been highlighted, and an overview of emerging applications of the ceramic composites has been presented.