Bulk Polymer-Derived Ceramic Composites of Graphene Oxide

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Ceramic Engineering

Background:

• Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) offer tunable properties but often require enhancements for specific applications.
• Incorporating graphene into ceramic matrices is a promising strategy to improve electrical and mechanical performance.
• Developing cost-effective methods for creating bulk graphene-ceramic composites remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile and cost-effective method for producing bulk SiCO/graphene composites.
• To investigate the effect of an embedded graphene network on the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of SiCO ceramics.
• To demonstrate the potential of using graphene-coated polymer foams as templates for advanced ceramic composites.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing graphene-coated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) foams as templates for SiCO precursor infiltration.
• Employing pyrolysis to decompose PVA foams and form graphitic domains within the SiCO matrix.
• Characterizing the microstructure, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and Young's modulus of the resulting SiCO/graphene composites.

Main Results:

• SiCO/graphene composites with an embedded graphene network were successfully fabricated.
• Electrical conductivity increased by over 4 orders of magnitude compared to pure SiCO ceramics.
• A significant drop in thermal conductivity to approximately 0.8 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ was observed.
• Young's modulus reached around 210 MPa, exceeding values for similar composites.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a cost-effective route to bulk SiCO/graphene PDC composites.
• The embedded graphene network effectively enhances electrical conductivity and mechanical strength while reducing thermal conductivity.
• This approach offers a promising pathway for designing advanced ceramic materials with tailored properties for diverse applications.