Fabrication of ZrO2/rGO nanocomposites by flash sintering under AC electric fields

Ceramic matrix nanocomposites containing graphene possess superior mechanical properties. However, these nanocomposites are very difficult to be prepared using the conventional methods due to severe grain growth and simultaneous degradation of the graphene at high sintering temperatures and long dwell time. Herein, the dense ZrO2/rGO (reduced graphene oxide) nanocomposites are successfully fabricated by flash sintering of the green compacts consisting of ZrO2 nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) at 893-951celcius in merely 5 seconds under the alternating current (AC) electric fields of 130-150 V cm(-1). The GO can be in situ thermal reduced during the flash sintering. The as-prepared ZrO2/rGO nanocomposites exhibit excellent mechanical properties. This study presents a green and simple approach to fabricate the dense ceramic matrix nanocomposites reinforced with graphene at low temperatures in a short time.