Hot-pressed graphene nanoplatelets or/and zirconia reinforced hybrid alumina nanocomposites with improved toughness and mechanical characteristics

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2019.08.048

Abstract

Abstract:

This work explains the synergistic contribution of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and zirconia ceramic nanoparticles (ZrO₂) on the microstructure, mechanical performance and ballistic properties of the alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic hybrid nanocomposites. Over the benchmarked monolithic alumina, the hot-pressed hybrid nanocomposite microstructure demonstrated 68% lower grain size due to grain pinning phenomenon by the homogenously distributed reinforcing GNP (0.5 wt%) and zirconia (4 wt%) inclusions. Moreover, the hybrid nanocomposite manifested 155% better fracture toughness (K_IC) and 17% higher microhardness as well as 88% superior ballistic trait over the monolithic alumina, respectively. The superior mechanical and ballistic performance of the hybrid nanocomposites was attributed to the combined role of zirconia nanoparticles and GNP nanomaterial in refining the microstructure and inducing idiosyncratic strengthening/toughening mechanisms. Extensive combined electron microscopy revealed complicated physical interlocking of the GNP into the microstructure as well as excellent bonding of the GNP with alumina at their interface in the hybrid nanocomposites. We also probed the efficiency of the pull-out and crack-bridging toughening mechanisms through proven quantitative methods. Based on the information extracted from the in-depth SEM/TEM investigation, we outlined schematic models for understating the reinforcing ability as well as toughening mechanisms in the hybrid nanocomposites and meticulously discussed. The hot-pressed hybrid nanocomposites owning high toughness and hardness may have applications in advanced armor technology.

Key words: Graphene, Alumina, Zirconia, Toughness, Hybrid nanocomposites

Iftikhar Ahmad, Mohammad Islam, Nuha Al Habis, Shahid Parvez. Hot-pressed graphene nanoplatelets or/and zirconia reinforced hybrid alumina nanocomposites with improved toughness and mechanical characteristics[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2020, 40: 135-145.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1 Chemical composition and hot-pressing protocol of all the samples.

Sample ID		Chemical composition			Physical properties
		Al₂O₃ (wt%)	ZrO₂ (wt%)	GNP (wt%)	Density (g cm^-3)	Densification (%)	Grain size (μm)
Alumina	Monolithic alumina	100	×	×	3.98 ± 0.01	99.7	4.2 ± 0.15
A₄Z	Nanocomposite	96.0	4.0	×	4.05 ± 0.03	99.4	3.5 ± 0.10
A_0.5G	Nanocomposite	99.5	×	0.5	3.98 ± 0.02	99.2	3.1 ± 0.13
A₄Z_0.5G	Hybrid Nanocomposite	95.5	4.0	0.5	3.99 ± 0.04	98.5	2.4 ± 0.12

Fig. 1. (a) SEM image of 2D sheet morphology for the GNPs, (b) TEM snapshot of the characteristics crumpling and overlapped features for the GNP, (c) SEM image of the even distribution of alumna/zirconia nanoparticles on the GNP lateral surface and (d) TEM image of the sticking of alumina and zirconia nanoparticles on a GNP segment.

Fig. 2. SEM images of the hybrid nanocomposites surface showing even distributions of (a) GNPs (black arrows) as well as zirconia phase (marked by white circles) in alumina matrix and (b) elemental analysis of the hybrid nanocomposites.

Fig. 3. SEM analysis of the fractured surfaces of the (a) alumina-monolithic showing large grains with intergranular failure-mode, (b) A4Z nanocomposite manifesting intergranular failure mode-zirconia particles are marked by blue arrows, (c) A0.5G nanocomposite exhibiting intergranular failure-mode and GNPs are marked by green circles and (d) A4Z0.5G hybrid nanocomposite demonstrating fine-grained microstructure as well as intergranular failure-mode.

Fig. 4. XRD patterns of (a) monolithic alumina, alumina/zirconia nanocomposite and (b) alumina/GNP nanocomposite, alumina/zirconia/GNP hybrid nanocomposites prepared by hot-pressing.

Table 2 Mechanical and ballistic properties of all hot-pressed samples.

ID	Hardness, H_V (GPa)	Elastic modulus, E (GPA)	Fracture toughness, K_IC (MPa m^1/2)	Critical energy, G_IC (J m^-2)	Ballistic energy dissipation ability, D (10^-12 s^-1)
Alumina	16.4 ± 0.2	395 ± 5	3.1 ± 0.15	91 ± 5	3.10
A₄Z	14.6 ± 0.3	363 ± 7	4.6 ± 0.13	143 ± 8	1.20
A_0.5G	17.5 ± 0.2	355 ± 8	5.9 ± 0.18	192 ± 6	0.88
A₄Z_0.5G	19.3 ± 0.3	345 ± 7	7.9 ± 0.20	265 ± 4	0.51

Fig. 5. (a) SEM image of a microhardness indent showing the crack lengths and zigzag failure patters, (b) the GNP crack-bridging toughening phenomenon, (c) low magnification SEM image of the A4Z fractured surface showing the grain boundary cracks (marked by blue arrows) and (d) the high-magnification SEM image showing well bonded matrix grains in the A4Z0.5G hybrid nanocomposite.

Fig. 6. SEM images of the direct physical GNP segments interactions with the matrix grains: (a) the GNP grains sharing and grains anchoring phenomenon; (b) GNP grain wrapping interaction; (c) sticking of a GNP with the alumina matrix.

Fig. 7. TEM investigation of the hybrid nanocomposite showing (a) the GNP surface locking with matrix grains, (b) high-resolution lattice resolved TEM image of the GNPL/alumina interfacial region, (c) the alumina matrix phase, (d) the GNP and (e) interfacial GNP/alumina connection at high-magnification.

Fig. 8. Qualitative schematics illustrating potential toughening mechanisms in the hybrid nanocomposites.

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